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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: "MR. ADEMOLA ADEBISI" <adebisi_ademola1968@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 19:47:43 -0700
Subject: I Need Your Cooperation

Hello Friend,
I am Mr. Ademola Adebisi, branch Manager, Eko International Bank of Nigeria, Plc., head office, Lagos, Nigeria. It is with utmost respect and regards that I seek your cooperation towards a transaction that demands utmost honesty and confidentiality.

On June 6, 1999, an America Oil consultant/contractor with one of our major oil company here in Nigeria,Mr. James Ryan, Redmond, made a fixed deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$8m (Eight Million United States Dollars Only) in my branch.

Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers, that Mr. James Ryan, Redmond died in a plane crash of 31 January, 2000 off the California coast. Please confirm this yourself via the website <http://www.greatdreams.com/plane261.htm>

On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL, and attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. James Ryan, Redmond did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents, including his bank deposit paperwork in my bank.
This sum of US$8m is still in my bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it and according to Nigerian law, at the expiration of five (5) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the fund and this is the 5th year and by the end of this year and the middle of next year, this money would have become that of the government of Nigeria that would probably end up in the hands of some corrupt government officials.

My proposal is that I will like you, as a foreigner to kindly stand as the next of kin to Mr. James Ryan, Redmond so that the fruit of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt Government officials.

Please do not entertain any fear as all logistics will be put in place for a smooth transaction. All you need to do is to simply provide immediately your full name and address so that an Attorney will be employed to prepare the documents/affidavits on your behalf as the beneficiary/next of kin to Mr. James Ryan, Redmond.

Note that we shall employ the services of two attorneys for the drafting and notarization of the WILL and obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favour for the transfer. Any bank account in any part of the world which you will provide will then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin.

The money will be paid into your account for us to share in ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you. There is no risk at all, the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorneys. My position as the Branch Manager will guarantee the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately via my private email address. Upon your response, I shall provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.

Please observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country. Please upon the reciept of this mail message, send to me the following to enable start the process of the fund into your bank account:

1. Your full Names and address 2. Occupation and your position 3.Your account details 4. Your private Telephone and fax numbers

Awaiting your urgent reply.

Thanks and best regards.
ADEMOLA ADEBISI


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