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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Sakode Mensah (Barrister) <sakodemensah@excite.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 11:36:53 +0000
Subject: sakodemensah@excite.co.jp


SAKODE MENSAH (ESQ).
MENSAH CHAMBERS,
ACCRA, GHANA.
TELL: +233 244 472308.
sakodemensah@excite.co.jp


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Barrister Sakode Mensah a solicitor at law. I am the personal
Attorney to a national of your country, who used to work with Ashanti gold
Mining company in Ghana. Here in after shall be referred to as my client.
On the 21st of April 2001,my client, his wife and their only daughter
Were involved in a car accident along Kumasi express road. All occupants of
The vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several
Enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives
This has prooved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name
Over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted
You. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property
Left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
Unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were
Lodged. Particularly, the ECO BANK GHANA where the deceased had an account
Valued at about $5.5 million dollars has the bankers has issued a notice
To provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the
Next ten official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the the relatives for over
2years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
Deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this
Account valued at $5.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and
Me can share the money. 50% to me and 45% to you while 5% will be kept
Aside for any expenses secured during the transaction, I will arrange all necessary
legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal
Through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
Please get in touch with me via my E-MAIL address or phone to enable us
Discuss further. You may also, send your phone number so that I can call you
on telephone.
Best regards,
Sakode mensah esq,
Barrister at law.

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