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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: "Carlos Madinga" <carlos_madinga2002@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: carlos_madinga2002@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 11:54:51 +0100
Subject: I will Appreciate your prompt response.

Dear Sir,

It's my pleasure contacting you for the undermentioned joint mutual project.
Honestly this is based on the impressive information I got about your
goodself.

I am the Group Finance Director, Durban Mines and Steel Corporation, South
Africa. I have the confidence that you can be of immense assistance to me in
this business of mutual benefit.

I have the sum of of Fifteen Million United States of America Dollars
($15million) deposited with a finance house overseas. I wish to invest this
money in your country; hence I am soliciting for your partnership in a joint
venture. You will travel to the fund base to meet the officials of the
finance house; there you will complete all Necessary formalities and be
taken to their affiliate bank where the fund will be handed over to you. You
will invest, manage the fund and the proceed there from until I retire from
public service.

This fund was accrued from over invoiced and inflated contracts executed by
some foreign contractors in the previous years in DMSC. The actual contract
sum had been paid to the contractors and this amount ($15,0000,000) is the
over invoiced difference. We, public servants are not allowed to own foreign
bank account while in office, hence this money was moved out through
diplomatic courier using my official Position. This is the only way we make
good money while in office.

I will send you all relevant document and give you overseas contact for
confirmation immediately you respond and confirm your interest. Send me your
private telephone, fax and cell phone numbers to enable me give you details
and also discuss your percentage share for your assistance.

Keep this transaction an utmost secret to protect my Position in office.
Your urgent
response will be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Carlos R. Madinga.


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