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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: "edward wesley" <edwardwesley12@msn.com>
Reply-To: edward_wesley1@yahoo.dk
Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 20:40:55 +0000
Subject: CONTACT

ATTENTION

It may interest you to know that I work here in Switzerland as a Government
Secret Agent/ External Auditors with the International Bank for Settlement
BIS. My name is Mr. Edward Wesley, Financial Comptroller , Foreign Exchange
Department-BIS.

Myself and my colleagues are presently updating reports to the International
Clearing House Switzerland, withholding accounts with Union Bank of
Switzerland-UBS under the payment voucher worth US$450 MILLION for the
Federal Government Of Some Africa Countries.

In the headline news, we are subjected to submit our financial reports to
the Government covering the founded looted money by Some Late Head of State
of African . eg Late Congo President, LAURENT KABILA,Late Head of State
Gen. Sani Abacha of Nigeria, We have so far claimed so many Millions into
the account of the Government.

therefore; we want to use this opportunity to divert the little amount of
US$15.5 Million into our own pocket. If only you can assist us, we shall
immediately push out the certificate of deposit in your name as the fund
beneficiary.

In this claim, the process is very simple because the fund US$15.5 Million
will be deposited directly into your account via the International Clearing
House-UBS Investment
Bank Switzerland. You will be required to complete the transfer payment form
PDF-5, for the process and approvals of the Foreign Exchange Allocation in
your favor as the beneficiary.

Better still secretive arrangement in regards of the shipment sum,through
Diplomatic Courier Services to your region, as consignment.

In your kindness to assist us for these claims, your benefit will be 20% of
total amount deposited into your account via the UBS Investment Bank
Switzerland. Our own share will be invested in any part of region with your
connections over there, as you will know that we are still under the
Government Cabinet.

If you are keen in this endeavor, I oblige that you forward your complete
profile in order to access your capability to handle such amount of fund. ,
Therefore, I think you are in
a right hand and we shall co-operate with you to the fullest once there is a
demonstration of good faith on your part to assist us.

We advised you to keep every matter totally private and confidential and we
shall proceed further with you. You should indicate your interest only by
email until we have processed the payment via the International Clearing
House.

We anticipate your good gesture in this matter soonest.

Yours Sincerely
Edward Wesley.


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