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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: CARRIER-SERVIES GH LTD DIPLOMATIC COMPANY <authorised_diplomatic1970@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 20:48:06 +0100 (BST)
Subject: BUSINESS DEAL


DEAR FRIEND,

I AM MAKING THIS CONTACT BASED ON MY PRESUMED
RELIANCE, AFTER GOING THROUGH A BRIEF PROFILE OF
USA ,EUROPE AND ARAB BUSINESS ON THE INTERNET.

I AM ALHAJI AL-JACOB (A GHANAIAN). I AM A CUSTOMS
SUPERINTENDENT OFFICER ATTACHE TO THE GHANA PORTS AND
HARBOURS AUTHORITY. TEMA. AND I AM CONTACTING YOU TO
ESTABLISH THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU IN BENEVOLENT
SPIRIT AS TO ENHANCE IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION TO AN
OPPORTUNITY RIGHTLY AT HAND.

IT WAS MORE LIKE A DREAM WHEN TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES I
INTERCEPTED TWO(2) GIGANTIC TRUNK BOXES AT OUR SEA
PORT IN THE EARLY HOURS OF 20TH AUGUST, 2005 IN THE
ATTEMPT TO SHIP THE BOXES OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

SUBSEQUENTLY, THE OWNERS WHOM ACCORDING TO OUR
INVESTIGATIONS WERE IRAQ POLITICIANS (THE LATE GENERAL
SADAM'S ENTOURRAGE) WITHDREW FROM THE OPERATION SINCE
THEY OBVIOUSELY STAND NO CHANCE OF DEFENDING THE
SOURCE OF THE CONTENT OF THESE BOXES.

ALSO, AS A MATTER OF FACT THAT THIS SAME PEOPLE ARE
ACCORDING TO OUR INVESTIGATION FACING CHARGES OF LOOTS
AND HUMAN-RIGHT ABUSES IN IRAQ. AFETR DUE
INVESTIGATIONS AND CLEARIFICATIONS, WE HAVE DECIDED TO
OWN THESE BOXES WHICH'S CONTENT I CANNOT DISCLOSE NOW
FOR SECURITY REASONS, TO OURSELVES. SINCE WE HAVE
EARLIER DECIDED NOT TO OFFCIALLY ANNOUNCE THIS
INTERCEPTION FOR ABVIOUS REASONS.

I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL BE SUPRISED TO KNOW THE
CONTENT OF THESE BOXES. HOWEVER, THE RECENT REPORTS
ABROAD AND ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE FROZEN BILLIONS
OF BRITISH POUND STERLING USA DOLLARS OWNED TO THE
SADAM WILL CONVINCE YOU. YOU CAN CONDUCT A SEARCH ON;
SADAM'S LOOT THROUGH GOOGLE SEARCH (GOOGLE.COM).

WE URGENTLY NEED AN INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE AS TO
ENABLE US TRASNFER THESE BOXES AND THEIR CONTENTS
ABROAD. MEANWHILE, I AM ONLY SENDING THIS PROPOSAL TO
ASCERTAIN YOUR INTREST AND ONCE POSSITIVE RESPONCE IS
RECIEVED FROM YOU, ASSURING ME OF YOUR UTMOST
COOPERATION, SINCERITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY, I WILL
PROCEED TO FURNISH YOU WITH ALL DETAILS AND HOW WE
INTEND TO CARRY OUT THIS RISK FREE TRANSACTION WITHOUT
FURTHER DELAY.

THE BOXES ARE PRESENTLY DEPOSITED WITH A REPUTABLE
SECURITY FIRM OVER HERE AND WE SHALL PROCEED TO CLEAR
THEM ON YOUR ARRIVAL.

THANKS FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED COOPERATION.
ALHAJI JACOB.

NB: I SHALL COUNT ON YOUR INDULGENCE TO KEEP THIS
INFORMATION VERY SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL



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