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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: "Victor Ama" <victorama03@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: victorama@ok.kz
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2005 02:28:13 -0900
Subject: BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

FROM THE DESK OF:VICTOR AMA  
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT
ECOBANK NIGERIA
 
SUB: BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

First, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction,  this is by virtue of its nature as being utterly  confidential and top secret. Though I know that a  transaction of this magnitude will make any one  apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that all  will be well at the end of the day. I have decided to  contact you because of the urgency of this transaction. I  got your contact from the Internet linking, will want to immediately put your mind at rest in that regard. I
therefore apologize for infringing your privacy.
 
I am Mr. Umaru Dada, the director in charge of auditing and  accounting section of the ECOBANK NIGERIA.  With due respect and regard During our investigation and  auditing in this bank, my department came across a very  huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person A  Foreigner, late Engineer Johnson Morgan, an Oil  Merchant/Contractor with the Federal Government of Nigeria  until his death three years ago, in ghastly air crash that  happened on June 6, 2002 here in Nigeria with (ADC  ARILINE), the fund has been dormant in his account with  this bank without any claim of the fund either from his  family or relative before our discovery to this  development.
 
Although personally, I keep this information secret within  myself to enable the whole plans and idea to be profitable  and successful during the time of execution. The said  amount was the sum of US$25.5 million United State Dollars.  As it may interest you to know. Meanwhile, all the whole arrangements to put claim over this fund with your name as  the bona-fide NEXT OF KIN to the deceased, and get the  required approvals and transferring of this fund to a  foreign bank account has been putting in place. Directives  and all needed information will be relayed to you as soon  as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist me  and also benefit yourself to this great business  opportunity. In fact, I could have done this deal alone but because of  my position in this country as a civil servant, we are not  allowed by our Government to operate a foreign bank  account. If i do They will eventually raise an eyebrow on  my side during the time of transfer because I work in this  bank. This is the actual reason why it I require a second  party or fellow who will present a foreign bank account  where this money will be transferred into as the Next of  Kin to the deceased person.
 
Neveretheless, I will not fail to inform you that this  transaction is 100% risk free guarantee. And for your role  in the transaction, you will keep 25% for yourself, while  5% for taxation to reimburse any expenses that may incur in  the course of the transaction and preserve 70% for me for  my mutual benefit. Please you have been advised to keep top  secret as I am still in service and intend to retire from  service after I conclude this deal with you. I will be  monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you  confirm the money in your account and ask me to come down  to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund  according to percentages as indicated above. However, All  other necessary information’s will be sent to you on your
prompt reply.
 
If this proposal is OK for you and you wish to take  advantage of the trust I here bestow on you. Kindly get to  me immediately through my Alternative email address above  and don't forget to furnishing me with your most confidential  Telephone and Fax number for easy communication on this  transaction.
 
Please note that your positive or negative response will be  most appreciated to enable me know the way forward.

Thank you and God Bless.
 
Yours faithfully.
 
Mr.Victor Ama

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