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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Josiah Koffi <josiah.koffi@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 07:08:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL/CALL ME 00228 938 33 96


Dear friend,


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 Lome-Togo. 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 2005. This contract was officially assigned to be awarded and executed by two foreign contractors at the tune of $100,500,000.00 U.S Dollars, 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 UNION TOGOLIASE DE BANQUE 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). 30% 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 reimbursment to both parties for any incidental expences incurred in the course of this transaction. (3). 60% 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 UNION TOGOLAISE DE BANQUE 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 Telephone Number: 00228 938 33 96 Fax Number:00228 221 21 09. 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.
Mr. Josiah Koffi.



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