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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: vanni@tmobileprepaid.com
Date: Sun, 28 May 2006 15:20:56 -0800
Subject: Friendship

Dear Sir.

I am VICTOR VANNI,the director in-charge of auditing and accounting section of commercial bank
Ghana in West Africa with due respect and regard. Ihave 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 this bank, my department came across a very huge sum
of money belonging to a deceased person who died on November 1997 in a plane crash and the fund
has been dormant in his account with this bank without any claim of the fund in our custody
either from his family or relation before our discovery to this development. Although personally,
I keep this information secret within myself and my partners to enable the whole plans and ideas
be profitable and Successful during the time of execution. the said amount was US$ 14M(fourteen
million Dollars).United States Meanwhile,all the whole arrangements to put claims 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 and needed information
will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us and
also benefit yourself to this great business opportunity. Infact I could havedone 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 would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer because I work in this bank.this is the actual reason why it will require a second
party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust and oath to
the bank and also present a foreignaccount where he will need the money to be re-transfered
into on his request as it may be after due verification and clarification by the correspondent
branch of the bank where the whole money will be remitted from to your own designated bankaccount.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On smooth conclusion of
this transaction,you will be entitled to 30% of thetotal sum as gratification, while 10% will be set
aside to take care of the expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills,while 60%will be for me and my partners.

Please,you have been advised to keep top secret as we are still in serviceand intend to retire
from service after we conclude this deal with you. I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this
bank until you confirm the money in your account and ask us to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund to percentages previosly indicated and furtherinvestment,either in
your country or any country youadvice us to invest in.

All other necessary information will be sent to you when I hear from you.I suggest you get back to me
as soon as possible stating your wish in this deal.

Yours faithfully,

VICTOR VANNI.


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