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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: "Martins Mayor" <martinsmayor@msn.com>
Reply-To: martins_mayor@sify.com
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2005 17:44:37 +0000
Subject: Business Associate Needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Attn: Sir/Madam,

I hope this mail doesn't come to you as an embarrassment as i receive
unsolicited mails sometimes. The truth about it is that many individuals
have failed to understand the use for which the Internet is set for us to
benefit, and therefore some abuse the privilege.

I am Dr. Martins Mayor, the Chief Accountant Nigerian National petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. I reliably got your
contact from Chambers of Commerce when i thought that i could reasonably
count on your trust. In respect, i have no reason to doubt your honesty and
credibility hence I make this proposal to you. Please, treat with utmost
confidence and once more, excuse me for the embarrassment this letter might
cause you as we have not met or known each other.

I have the mandate of my colleagues in office to solicite for your
assistance for a deal we want to execute. My Corporation (NNPC) awarded a
contract of US$96,700,000.00 (Ninety six Million,Seven hundred Thousand U.S
Dollars) to a foreign firms to supply Rig & Drilling Equipment for Kaduna
Refinery here in Nigeria, but because of my position in collaboration with
my colleagus, this contract was over invoiced to US$115,300,000.00 (One
Hundred and Fifteen Million, Three Hundred Thousand United State Dollars).

The original contract sum has been paid to the contractor that executed the
project, now we are left with the over - invoice sum of US$28,600,000.00
(Twenty Eight,Six Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars Only).

All arrangments have been concluded on how this money would be moved. Our
constraints lie on the fact that we required a foreign firm or individual
account number where the money will paid into; whose owner will be portrayed
as a contract beneficiary of fund. Infact this is why I am writting you this
letter of proposal.

NOTE:- There is no risk involved as we have taken care and secure the
loopholes covered. As a civil servant, we are aware that some financial
assistance would be required to conclude this job, we are prepared to give
as much as 25% of the total sum to whoever that is willing to assist, while
70% of the total sum will go for me and my colleagues.

To this effect, 5% would be earmarked to cover all the expenses (Local and
International). This is because the process would pass through some
Directors in the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
These officers might require some tips to facilitate payment without delay
since they are not aware of the deal.

Should you be willing to assist and to enable us put claim immediately, we
shall require the following information:Your Address in full, Telephone and
Fax numbers.

You would be required to meet face to face with the officials invloved. But
should you not be in a position to assist, this deal has to remain a secret
till the end of the time. It is important I mention that the officials
involved in this transaction are top Government Functionaries who have put
in years of services to this Country. For the maintenance of personal
integrity and prestige of all persons involved in this transaction. You are
implored to exhibit utmost secrecy throughout the duration of this
transaction.

You may open a seperate Bank Account in any Country for this purpose if you
wish. All arrangements for this transfer against this quarter payment for
the year, 2005 have been properly organised and further action on onward
payment awaits your immediate response.

Hurry and send to me the details of your account number where the money will
be transfered and remit into so that we can start to process for the
approval of this payment. Also send your direct Phone & Fax numbers for more
details as regards to this fund.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Martins Mayor.


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