joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "David Mark" <markdavid01@msn.com>
Reply-To: davmark57@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 18:48:33 +0000
Subject: Investment manager needed.

Dear Friend,

I got your contact on the internet in my bid to look
for an investment manager.

I am one of the Administrative Staff of Department
Of Petroleum Resources and I represent a group that is
interested in engaging your service as Manager for
investment of a large volume of funds for
investment.

Meanwhile, the fact is that there was an
over-inflated contract that was executed for
Department Of Petroleum Resources worth $32 million
which has been lying fallow since the original
contractor has been paid leaving the over-inflated
amount which was done by this group I am representing.
They are in charge of the accounts section and have
perfected all documents to back up the payment as to
avoid any trace whatsoever which makes the transaction
100% risk free.

The issue of the kind of service I request from you
would be that I need your assistance in receiving the
amount of $32m and thereafter you invest it for a
period of 2 years.

Secondly, you would be entitled to 25% of the total
fund in question as the fund manager while 5% will be
set aside for any sundry expenses incurred by both
parties in the course of this transaction.

Meanwhile, I believe that you would be able to handle
this project. Trustworthiness and confidentially
should be our watch word so as to protect my highly
exalted position without denting my image and person
in this regards. I really need your assurance and I
want you to give me your maximum co-operation as far
as this project is concerned.

I have a wife with seven children, four girls, three
boys and I want to ensure that their future is secured
financially with this project, therefore, you can
understand my position towards this issue.
Finally, it would be appreciated if you could furnish
me with your private phone, fax and mobile numbers for
easy communication.

I once again thank you for your kind understanding and
the assistance you are about to render in this issue.
May god bless you and your family.

Best Regards,
David Mark.


Anti-fraud resources: