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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: "Steven Lawrence" <acctstevenblawrence@msn.com>
Reply-To: acctstevenblawrence@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 04:14:06 +0000
Subject: Steven Lawrence

Dear Sir/Madam,

First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction, this is
by virtue of it's nature as being utterly confidential and top secret as we
got your email address from the web Email directory and
decided to introduce this transaction. We are member of staff of a Bank here
in the United Kingdom. I am writing following an oppurtunity in my office
that will be of imense benefit to both of us. I am seeking your assistance
to enable me collect and transfer the sum of US$20,500,000.00
into your private company account for mutual benefits.

This money came about as a result of a contract for the supply of five
thousand, three hundred and sixty-seven computer unit, installation and
turn-around maintenance executed on behalf of my Bank, in the year 2004.
This contract was officially assigned to be awarded and executed by two
foreign contractors at the tune of US$100,500,000.00, but in the course of
my negotiation, we bargained with only one foreign contractor, a Italian
firm which now executed the contract at the cost of US$80.000.000.00. Thus
leaving the remaining US$20.5M floating in the escrow account at the
Barclays bank ready for payment. I have therefore been mandated as a matter
of trust by my colleagues in the panel to look for an overseas partner to
whom we could transfer the sum of US$20.5M legally subcontracting the
entitlement to your company.

This is bearing in mind that our civil service code of conduct forbids us
from owning foreign company or running foreign account while in banking
service hence the need for an overseas partner. to the benefits of we the
three members of the contract award panel unknown to the contractor and any
other person in my Bank. This contract has been satisfactorily executed and
inspected as the Italian firm is presently securing his payment from my
Bank. It is however to this effect that I seek your maximum assistance and
approval to present your company name alongside with the Italian
contractor as the second foreign contractor to enable me transfer the
difference (US$20.5M) into your account for further investment depending on
your advice. On actualization of the transaction, the funds will be shared
thus: 1. 20% of the money go to you for acting as the beneficiary
of the funds. 2. 10% has been set aside as an abstract projection for
bursment to both parties for any incidental expences incurred in the course
of this transaction. 3. 70% to we (three members of the Contract Award
Panel.) All logistics are in place and all modalities worked out for the
smooth actualization of the transaction within fourteen working days of
commencement after receipt of the following information by email: Your
company‘s Name. Address. Phone/Fax number. Also, the solar bank draft or
certified cheque drawable in any of the Barclays bank correspondent banks
around the world is going to be made in your company name.

Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above email address.
The above information will enable me make the application and lodge claims
to the concerned bank in favour of your company or name and it is pertinent
to state here that this deal is entirely based on trust. If you are able to
handle, contact me on via my email address. Also furnish me with your own
phone numbers, as I will be sending you immediately I receive your positive
response some classified documents.

Thanks in anticipation for your positive response.

Yours faithfully.
Steven Lawrence.


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