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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Thomas Hill" <mrthomas_91@msn.com>
Reply-To: thomas_hill1000@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 14:00:10 +0000
Subject: hello

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
CONTRACT AWARDING COMMITTEE
ECOWAS HEADQUARTERS
LOME-TOGO.

Dear Sir/Madam

Re : ACCOUNT PROVISION FOR USD20M

Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you as a surprise and if it
might offend you without your prior consent and writing through this
channel.
I am Mr.Thomas Hill ,The Chairman, Contract Awarding Committee of the
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES ( ECOWAS)with Headquarters in
LOME-TOGO,

I got your information in a business directory from the TOGO Chamber of
commerce and Industries when I was searching for a reliable,honest and
trustworthy person to entrust this business with.I was simply inspired and
motivated to pick your contact from the many names and lists in the
directory.

After discussing my view and your profile with my colleagues,they were very
much satisfied and decided to contact you immediately for this mutual
business relationship.
We wish to transfer the sum of USD20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million United
States Dollars only.)into your personal or company`s bank account.This fund
was a residue of the over invoiced contract bills awarded by us for the
supply of ammunitions, hard/soft wares,phamaceauticals/medical items,light
and heavy duty vehicles, apperals and other administrative logistics etc for
the ECOMOG in Sierria-Leone and Liberia during the Peace Keeping Projects.

This DEAL was deliberately hatched out and carefully protected with all the
attendant lope holes sealed off.As the Chairman of CAC,I have the
cooperation and mandate of the Financial Director and the Secretary of the
Organisation.We arranged and over invoiced the contract funds supplied by
different companies from different countries during the crisis.

It was our consensus to seek the assistance of a willing foreigner to
provide us with the facilities to transfer this money out of West
Africa.This is borne
out of our beleif in the non-stable and sporous political nature of this
sub-region.
The original contractors have been duely paid by the (Central Bank of the
West African States)through our Central Bank Of Nigeria.This balance is
suspended in the escrow accounts awaiting claims by any foreign company or
individual of our choice.We intend to pay out this fund NOW as the
organisation is winding up its activities since the aim of returning PEACE
to the countries and the coast has been achieved.

Based on the laws and ethics of employment,we as civil servants working
under this organisation, are not allowed to operate a foreign account.This
is the more reason why we needed your assistance to provide an account that
can sustain this fund for safe keeping and our future investment with your
comprehensive advise,assistance and partnership in your country.

It is however agreed,as the account owner in this deal to allow you 30% of
the entire sum as compensation, 65% will be held on trust for us while 5%
will be used to defray any incidental charges and cost during the course of
the transaction.
This transaction will be successfully concluded within 7 days if you accord
us your unalloyed and due cooperation.You should provide the
followings;

YOUR COMPANY`S NAME WITH COMPLETE ADDRESS,TEL
AND FAX NUMBERS.(if available)
THE NAME OF YOUR BANK,ITS ADDRESS
THE ACCOUNT NUMBER
THE COMPLETE MAILING ADRRESS OF THE BENEFICIARY
WITH TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS.

Upon the receipt of this informations,the documents and approval with the
texts will be sent to you for confirmaton and then forwarded to the
organisation for ratification and subsequent payment.

As with the case of all organised (sensitive)and conspired DEALS,we solicit
for your unreserved confidentiality and utmost secret in this business. We
hope to retire peacefully and lead a honourable business life
afterwards.There are no risks involved.

Hope to hearing from you ASAP.

Thank you and God bless

Best Regards,
Mr.Thomas Hill


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