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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: "smith cantola" <smithcantola1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: smith_cantola@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:32:57 +0200
Subject: In anticipation of your trusted and genuine assistance I remain.

FROM: Smith Cantola
THE DIRECTOR OF PROJECT,
DEPARTMENT OF TRSANSPORT
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.
R.S.A.
TEL:+27-83-503-1086


Att:Sir/Madam,


I am Mr. Smith Cantola, the director of Projects, South Africa Department of
transport. I am making this contact with you based on the committee's need
for an individual/company who is willing to assist us with a solution to a
funds transfer. In unfolding this proposal, I want to count on you, as a
respected and honest person to handle this transaction with sincerity, trust
and confidentiality. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with
you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for he benefit of all
parties and hope you will keep it as a top secret because of the nature of
this transaction.

Within the Department of transport where I work as a Director of Project and
with the co-operation of two other top officials, we have in our possession
as overdue payment bills totaling Forty-Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand
U.S Dollars (US$47,500,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with the
assistance and co-operation of a foreign company/individual to receive the
said funds on our behalf or a reliable foreign non-company account to
receive such funds. More so, we are handicapped in this circumstance, as the
South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate
offshore account hence your importance in the whole transaction.futher more
this transaction may require a minor expense

This amount forty Seven Million five hundred thousand United States Dollars
(US$47,500,000.00) represents the balance of the total contract value
executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm, which we
he officials over-invoiced deliberately. Though the actual contract cost has
been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the
said amount which we have in principles got approval to remit by Telegraphic
Transfer (T.T) to any foreign bank account you will provide by filing in an
application through the Justice Department here in South Africa for the
transfer of rights and privileges of the former contractor to you.

I have the authority of my partners involved to discuss on the modalities of
sharing with you. Your share of the entire sum will be 30% US$14,250,000.00
(Fourteen Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) 67%
US$31,825,000.00 (Thirty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand
United States Dollars) for 3% and us US$1,425,000.00 (One Million, Four
Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand United States Dollars) for taxation and
miscellaneous expenses. The business itself has a minimal risk factor; on

your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.
Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful
execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope
that you will not disappoint me. It is equally important to state here that
considering the nature of this matter, I will require that it be handled
most discreetly.

If you Consider yourself honest, trustworthy and willing to assist,upon
receipt of this letter for execution details and other necessary
discussions. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not
disappoint me.

In anticipation of your trusted and genuine assistance I remain.

Best Regards,

Smith Cantola

N: B
=============================================================.
This e-mail and any attachments are privileged and may contain confidential
information intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is
addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified
that any disclosure of this information is prohibited under applicable law.
If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender
immediately by e-mail. Disclosing, copying, distributing or taking action in
reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.


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