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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: "williams akaeze" <williamsaka335@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: williamsaka3@88.am
Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2006 23:20:11 -0900
Subject: Letter

First Bank Nig.
HOUSE OF GOLD Oshodi/Apapa Expressway,
Between Cele Bus Stop
First Bank of Nig. Plc.
Okota, Lagos, Nigeria


ATTN: Sir / Madam,

I am Mr.Williams Akaeze a director with the auditing dept of the First Bank
Nig.Lagos,Nigeria.With due respect and regards, I have decided to contact
you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at
the end of the transaction.

During our investigation and auditing in the bank, my department came across
a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person, A foreigner, Late
Engineer Theophilus Baker,an Oil Merchant/Contractor with the Federal
Government of Nigeria, until his death four years ago
in a ghastly air crash,banked with us here at First Bank Nig., Lagos and had
a closing balance as at the end of March, 2002 worth Million of United
States Dollars which the bank now expects
a next-of-kin to claim as beneficiary. Valuable efforts are being made by
the Union Bank Plc to get in touch with any of the Bakers Family or
relatives but there has been no success. The fund has
been dormant in his account with the bank without any claim of the fund
either from his family or relation before our discovery to this development.

It is because of the perceived possibility of not being able to locate any
late Engr. Theo's next-of-kin (he had no children that is known to us),the
management under the influence of our Chairman
and member of the board of directors, elder KALU UKE KALU,that an
arrangement has been made for the funds to be declared UNCLAIMABLE and
subsequently be donated to the Trust Fund for Arms and Ammunition to further
enhance the course of war in Africa and the world in general.
In order to avert this negative development, some of my trusted colleagues
and I now seek your permission to have you stand as a next-of-kin to the
late Engr.Theo Baker so that the fund US$9.5 Million would be released and
paid into your account as the beneficiary/next-of-kin.

All documents and proves to enable you get this fund will be carefully
worked out.We have secured from the probate an order of mandamus to locate
any of the deceased beneficiaries, and more so we are assuring you of a 100%
risk free involvement.As it may interest you to know that I got your
contact address through the directory of confederation and i believe that
you will be viable and capable to champion a business of such magnitude
without any problem. Meanwhile all the whole
arrangements for you to put claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin
to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer this money to a
foreign account has been put in place and
directives/needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate
your interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self 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 to operate a foreign account, and that
would eventually raise eye brow on my side during the time of transfer
because I work in this bank.

This is the actual reason why it requires a second party or fellow who will
forward claims to the bank as the next of kin to the deceased foreigner and
also present a foreign account where he
will need the money to be re-transferred into on his request as it may be,
after due verification and clarification to designated bank account.

We have agreed that, the funds will be shared thus,after it has been
transferred into your account.

1. 30% of the money will go to you for standing as the beneficiary of the
fund.

2.10% will be set aside for any incidental expenses that may be incurred in
the course of the transfer such as telephone bills etc

3. 60% to us the originators of the transaction.If this proposal is accepted
by you. Do not take undue advantage of the trust we have bestowed on you ,
then kindly get to me immediately,
furnishing me with your most confidential telephone,fax number and
bank/account particulars so that I can use this information to apply for the
release and subsequent transfer of the funds
in your favor for us all.

All other necessary information will be sent to you when I hear from you.
Get back to me as soon as possible on the through this email address stating
your wish regarding this deal.

Best regards,
Mr.Williams Akaeze,
Director (First Bank Nig.)


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