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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: "Mark David" <consultant_001@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 00:20:44 +0000
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE FROM DR.MARK MAXWELL,

UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC LAGOS NIGERIA
DIRECTOR CREDIT OFFICER
E-MAIL:(markusmaxwell@yahoo.com)
Dear.SIR/madam, 
I am soliciting your confidence in this business, this is because of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret. Though, I know that a business of this sort will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that this transaction is 100% safe. We have decided to contact you due to the urgency of this transaction as we have been reliably informed of your discreetness and reliability in executing businesses and or transactions. Let me start by introducing myself properly to you.
 
I am.DR.MARK maxwell, Credit Officer with the Union Bank Of Nigeria PLC, Lagos. I came to know you in my private search for a reliable and reputable person to handle this confidential transaction, which involves the transfer of huge sum of money to a foreign account requiring maximum confidence.THE PROPOSITION : A foreigner, Late Engr.WILLIAM GEORGE, an oil merchant with the federal government of Nigeria During the regime of the late General Sanni Abacha, until his death sometime ago in Kenya Air Bus ( A310-300) Flight KQ430. Banked with us at Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Lagos and had a closing balance as at the end of September, 2000 worth S$30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million United State Dollars), the bank now expect a next of kin as beneficiary. Valuable efforts have been made by the Union Bank of Nigeria to get in touch with any of the GEORGE's family or relatives but to no success. It is because of the perceived possibility of not being able to locate any of Engr. WILLIAM GEORGE next of kin (He had no wife or children that is known to us).The management under the influence of our Chairman and members of the Board of Directors, that arrange has been made for the fund to be declared unclaimed and subsequently be donated to the trust fund for arms an! d ammunitions to further enhanced the course of war in Africa and the world in general.
In order to avert this negative development, some of my trusted colleagues and I now seek your permission to have you stand as next of kin to late Engr. WILLIAM GEORGE so that the fund US$30 million will be released and paid to into your account as the Beneficiary?s next of kin. All documents and proves to enable get This fund will be carefully worked out.We have secured from the Probate an order of mandamus to locate any of the deceased Beneficiaries, and more so we are assuring you that the business is 100% risk free involvement. Your share stays while the rest be for Myself and my colleagues for investment purpose. The sharing of the funds will be based According to agreement within Both parties. As soon as we receive an acknowledgement of receipt of This message in acceptance of our mutual business proposal, we would Furnish you with the necessary modalities and disbursement ratio to Suit both parties without any conflict. If this proposal isAcceptable by you, do not take undue advantage of the trust we have Bestowed in you.
PLEASE, APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT DOING BUSINESS OVER THE INTERNET IS RISK.ENDEAVOR TO SEND YOUR CONFIDENTIAL TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBER IN YOUR REPLY TO THIS MAIL.( markusmaxwell@yahoo.com)
SINCERELY YOURS,
 
DR.MARK MAXWELL,
NOTE: PLEASE ALL I WANT FROM YOU TO DO IS TO STAND AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO WILLIAM GEORGE,SO YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO BRING YOUR FULL NAME, YOUR FULL ADDRESS,YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBER, YOUR BANK DETAILS.THIS INFORMATIONS WILL CARRY OUT BY MAKING CHANGES OF YOUR NAME AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO WILLIAM GEORGE. ONCE I MADE THE CHANGES AS THE NEXT OF KIN I WILL SEND YOU THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BACK YOU UP. 

 

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