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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Uche Ikodie" <ucheikodie1@msn.com>
Reply-To: ucheikodie@walla.com
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 16:14:17 +0000
Subject: PERSONAL REPLY NEEDED

From: Mr. Uche Ikodie
Chief Auditor
First Bank of Nigeria Plc
Lagos Nigeria.
Direct tel:234-803-8046595

RE: URGENT MONEY TRANSFER
Dear Sir,

First, I must solicit your confidence in this Transaction; this is by virtue
of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret. Though I know
that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and
worried, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day.
I have decided to contact you because of the urgency of this Transaction.

Let me start by first introducing myself properly to you, I am Mr.
Uche Ikodie the Chief Auditor of First Bank Nigeria Plc. I got your contact
from the
British chambers of commerce and industry and foreign trade division while
searching for a reliable and a reputable person to handle a very
confidential Transaction, which involves the Transfer of huge sum of money
to a Foreign Account requiring maximum confidence.

A Foreigner, from Atlanta, United States of America Late GEORGE BRUMLEY, a
Physician/Contractor with the Federal Government of Nigeria until his death
in a ghastly air crash, who died along with his entire family in a plane
crash that took place in Kenya, East Africa. Please, visit the website below
for more information.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/07/20/kenya.crash/index.html

Late George Brumley had in his domicilliary account with us an equivalent of
US$22.2million as closing balance. The last Annual General Meeting (AGM)
decided and expected that this closing balance of US$ 22,2000,000 will be
claimed by Late George Brumley's relative as foreign Next of Kin or be
donated as unclaimed to a trust fund for arms and ammunition at Military War
College here in Nigeria. This idea is most unresonable hence I have decided
to take this step.

Fervent efforts made by the management of First Bank to get in
touch with any of the George's family or relatives all have proved abortive.
As a result of this,our Chairman and Board of Directors are in the process
of
declearing the fund "UNCLAIMABLE".

As an insider and Chief Auditor of the Account, I have decided to contact
you to act as the Late George Brumley's Next of Kin and Beneficiary in order
for you to recieve this fund as inheritance claim for the benefit of both
parties. All documentation required to perfect this are in place once you
indicate your acceptance, for your role in the transaction. You will keep
40% for your self, 5% to reimburse us for any expenses we may incur in the
course of the transaction, including our phone bills and the 55% left will
be for me.

If this proposal is OK and you wish to take advantage of the trust I here
bestow on you and your company kindly get to me immediately furnishing me
with the following information stated below: 1. Your Full Name, Your Contact
Address and Your most confidential Telephone and Fax numbers so that I can
forward to you the details of this transaction. Please note that your
positive response will be most appreciated to enable me know the way
forward. I will be waiting to hear from you.

Thank you and God Bless.

Best regards,

Mr.Uche Ikodie.


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