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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: greig bester <greigbester_5@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 16:01:53 +0200
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS OPPOTURNITY



3/5 HEAGER READERS CLOSESANDTON SUITESAVENUE 59087CLOSE, JO, BURG SOUTH AFRICA. E-mail: greigbester@yahoo.co.uk
Dear sir/madam

With due honour and respect, I introduce myself to you for a better relationship. I am greig bester a south africa based businessman i got Your contact courtesy of Business online network via Internet as I decided to contact you for this beneficial transaction that is 100% risk free.
During auditing, verifications/investigations in a bank at the end of last fiscal (financial) year, a banker friend of mine discovered the sum of (US$22.5M} TWENTY TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) in a dormant account belonging to DR ALI SYED a saudi arabia international businessman who died along with his family in the November 5th, 2001 Auto crash in cape town south africa, Our investigations revealed no survival or NEXT OF KIN/RELATIONS for claims as he have long been expecting someone to forward applications for claims as it applies to the banking regulations.

Information / verifications from reliable sources confirmed that his supposed NEXT OF KINS died with him in the crash. Hence this for your perusals. However, he kept this information (SECRET) confidential within his jurisdiction to enable him submit claims and transfer this fund through trustworthy person whom i will transfer this fund into any of his nominated (designated) offshore bank account for investments. Meanwhile, all domestic arrangements for claims has been put in place awaiting your acceptance to participate. I will give you directives and all needed information as soon as I receive your positive response. Kindly understand that i cannot carry out this on my own as based on the simple facts that i am practising attorney all i need is a foreign partner who will present an offsure account, it will raise eye brows on our side in terms of transfer being done by a staff of the bank. Moreover, this fund belongs to a foreigner and demands same as next of kin to claim it. Hence your contact for successful operation. I have resolved to offering you 45% of the total sum as commission, We will invest 30% of our share in your country provided it is profit oriented. 5% of the total fund will be set aside to re-emburse all expenses to be incurred in the course of running this transaction such as telephone and other minor expenses and 20% for my and my family. I am assuring you of a smooth and successful transaction provided you display maturity and observe confidentiality. And it will interest you to know that the Reserve Bank(Apex) will approve credit of this fund into your account as contract payment to abstain you from all queries regarding the source (originality) of this fund and will provide you (beneficiary) with contractual (data) details to certify your bank or government if the need arises. Therefore, be kind to clarify the following for my consideration: 1. Can your account accommodate this fund in your local bank without government intervention or do you have an account outside your country where you may consider safe for this fund ?. 2. What are taxation in your country like as I desire a low/free tax zone?. 3. What are the interest rates on long/short term fixed deposit in your local banks?4. What other lucrative investments would you suggest as I intend banking, real estate and hotels if they are good business venture in your Country?. 5. Can you be able to make residential documents and purchase a house for me and my family to relocate and settle in your country after the transaction? Kindly indicate your private telephone and fax number for more effeicient communication. Looking forward to your anticipated urgent response. (PLS YOU CAN CALL ME ON +27-73-185-6507).Best regards, GREIG BESTER.
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