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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: "Ibrahim Mantu" <ibrahim_mantu1@msn.com>
Reply-To: mantu_ib@msn.com
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 03:01:27 +0000
Subject: Get back to me!

Dear Friend

Before I introduce myself, I wish to inform you that this letter is not a
hoax mail and I urge you to treat it serious. I am one of the Directors of
Procurement Department at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
I obtained your contact while searching for a reliable person, who could
assist me in receiving transfer of a supposed contract awarded funds. I must
confess to you the amount involved is much though I'm yet to confirm if the
Ministary will agree to pay all at a time. This fund came as a result of
over estimated contract awarded sums executed by foreign contractors in this
Petroleum Ministry. This fund has been approved for payment to the
contractor by the concerned Ministry. The contracts had been executed and
commissioned.

What I am about to receive now, is the over estimated funds which the
contractor whom I helped during the process of obtaining the contracts added
to his estimation for my own interest. This is a normal deal that goes in
my Ministry by top officials. It is not new it has been there now is when I
got the oppurtinity to have mine. one thing I assure you is that all all
modalities shall be worked out in ensuring a smooth conclusion of the
transfer to your account within the next few days. All I request of you is
your assistance to help me receive this funds on my behalf, because as a
Government Official I cannot collect the funds directly from the contractor,
neither I am allowed by Law to operate/ run foreign bank accounts. If you
are trustworthy and can assist me in receiving the fund, do not hesitate to
respond back to me immediately Please.
Please note that there is no risk involved in receiving the funds in your
account all that is required from you is an assurance that the money will
kept safe for pending the time I will come over to your country. Please I
will like you to state the percentage you will have for helping out.

Further details and the amount involved shall be given to you once I hear
from you. Please, treat with utmost onfidentiality.

Looking forward to hearing from you soonest.
Best Regards
Mantu.


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