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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: "Ahmed Idris" <alahmedidris2004@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 19:25:40 +0200
Subject: TRANSFER OF FUND URGENTLY.

DR. AHMED IDRIS
NO:54 CRAWFORD STR,
MELROSE AVENUE. JHB.SOUTH AFRICA.

ATTN: DEAR ,

TRANSFER OF US$9. MILLION (NINE MILLION, UNITED STATES DOLLARS)

No doubt I know you will be surprised to receive this proposal. I got your
contact through your country’s Trade Journal here in South Africa when I was
making an inquiry for my investment in your country although I did not
disclose my business intentions to them, rather I decided to contact you
directly. First I must introduce myself. I am AHMED IDRIS from the diamond
Rich District of Sierra Leone.

During the war between our forces led by the Ex-head of State, Major Johnny
Koroma and the West African Allied Forces (ECOMOG), my country relied
heavily on the foreign earning generated from Diamond Trade. This money was
personally kept by the then President, Major Johnny Koroma,since our banking
system had collapsed during the war.

However, as the war progressed, it became apparent that we were going to
lose the war to the superior and better armed West African Allied Forces
(ECOMOG). At this point, the key officers of the administration started
making frantic efforts on how to leave Sierra Leone safely, thereby
sharing the proceeds / money from the Diamond Trade. My father was one of
the key officers who succeeded in getting the sum of US$9. MILLION (NINE
MILLION, UNITED STATES DOLLARS) )

We made arrangements and transferred the money through diplomatic means to
South Africa where I am presently living on asylum. Unfortunately, my father
died of heart attack after a few months of exile in South Africa and
automatically, I came in possession of the said amount as the only surviving
son. Upon our arrival in South Africa, we deposited the money with a
Security and Finance Company pending when we will see a trustworthy person
that will assist us to transfer this money to his account outside South
Africa, as the strict monetary laws here do not allow asylum seekers certain
financial rights.

I shall be grateful if you assist me to accomplish this transaction and
hoping too that you remain trustworthy. For your efforts and assistance, I
am prepared to give you 15% of the total sum while 5%
will be set aside for all the expenses incurred during the course of this
transaction. The rest 80% will be for my family investment in your country.

Please note that this transaction is 100% risk free as such the only thing I
ask from you is total assistance to transfer this money, complete trust and
assurance that my own part of the money will be safe when transferred to
your account. If you are interested in assisting me, please indicate on the
above fax and telephone numbers.

Best regards

AHMED IDRIS ,

_________________________________________________________________
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