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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: "JEFF SMITH" <barrister_jeffsmith@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2005 14:27:02 +0000
Subject: REQUEST FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE


JEFF SMITH & CO
SOLICITORS & ATTORNEYS
60A ABUBAKAR WAY
VICTORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS - NIGERIA.

FROM THE DESK OF:
JEFF SMITH(LL.B)

REQUEST FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE

Goodday

I am Barrister Jeff Smith and a member of Nigerian Bar
Association(NBA). Your contact reached me through a member of our diplomatic
mission abroad who recommended your reputation to me. Hence, I made up my
mind to introduce this business to you in confidence for the mutual benefit
of both of us.
The sum of US$25M (Twenty-five Million United States Dollars was lodged into
one of the leading private banks here in the Country by the late Head of
State (Gen. Sani Abacha), this money was lodged in a defaced form and in
vaults/boxes. The money was originally meant to be used for his political
campaign to suceed himself in office as the civilian President. Because, I
was his family Attorney as such he confided in me and intimated me to
witness and document all the relevant papers relating to this bank account,
all these documents are still intact with me only. Incidentally, on 8th of
June, 1998, Gen. Abacha died of "Cadiac Arrest".
As a matter of fact, I have adequately agreed with some of the key officers
of the private Bank to negotiate with you as a trustworthy person to provide
an account where this money could be transfered to your Country through your
bank account, because we cannot claim this money here in Nigeria. We have
concluded arrangements with an offshore security company to move this money
through diplomatic means to a country where it could be directly transfered
to your nominated account, to ensure absolute safety and risk free transfer
of the money. After a successful transfer, 30% will be for you for your
assistance, 5% for general expenses, 65% for us.
You are required to send by e-mail immediately your tel/fax numbers and bank
particulars where this money will be lodged and your personal contact
address. Once you notify me your willingness by sending the above
requirements, this transaction will be concluded within 21 working days.
Best regards.
JEFF SMITH(LL.B)


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