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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: Bala Martins <balamartins_511@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <balamartins_1001@excite.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 13:14:04 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend



SECURITY CODE: ABP-C02EXN CABLE-assbankFROM THE DESK OF: MR. Bala MartinsASSURANCE BANK PLC.10 AZIKIWE SRTREETMARINA VICTORIA ISLANDLAGOS NIGERIA Dear Friend Before I start, I must first apologize for this unsolicited mail to you. I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to establishing a relationship, but you will realize the reason for my action after going through this email. My name is James Wetauba, the Finance Director of the ASSURANCE BANK PLC. I am writing in respect of a foreign customer of my bank (DAVID CHANG) of your country) who had a plane crash and died (NOT MARRIED) on 4th of May 2003 in a local plane crash at Kano State, which enrooted from sokoto to Abuja (the capital city of Nigeria), all occupants in the Plane lost their lives, unfortunately on this same flight were other dignitaries like the former Nigeria Sports Minister and a host of others. The following websites could be referenced:http://www.usafricaonline.com/ngrkanocrash.htmlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1968616.stm There is an account opened in my bank in the year 1998 by this great late INDUSTRIALIST/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR who died without a written or oral WILL attached to the account. Since his death, I have personally watched and waiting with keen interest to see the next of kin but no one has come or show-up to be his next of kin to claim his fund, and no other person knows about thisaccount or anything concerning it, the account has no other beneficiary and until his untimely death . The banking ethics here does not allow such money to stay more than two years without claim, hence the money will be recalled to the Government treasury as unclaimed after this long period of dormancy. It is in light of these development that I am compelled to seek your indulgence and active participation in a well thought out scheme for you to stand as the NEXT OF KIN and foreign beneficiary of the fund from the deceased and have his remaining balance transfered to your nominated account abroad, since no one has come up to be the next of KIN. The total amount involved is $15,500,000 Million (US DOLLARS). I wish to start the first transfer with half of the total fund and upon successful transaction without any disappointment from your side as you shall be required through my candid advise and directions to re-apply for the transfer of the remaining balance into your account. I have secured from the probate ofice and order that will assist you and I to claim the funds as the next of kin and everything will be left between you and I. The share would be 40% for your kind effort and assistance and 55% for me while 5% have been mapped out to offset any incidental expenditure we might incue in the course of the transaction. Finally having opened up to you in confidence i would appreciate if it meets with your approval to reply by enclosing your Full Names,Mailing or contact Address, Age, Occupation, telephone number and fax if any and your occupation for confidentiality, to enable me talk to you before I send you the certificate of deposit and other relevant information relating to this fund transfer. I need not emphasize the confidentiality of this issue and I therefore appeal to you not discuss this request with anybody, even if you decline to take full advantage of this great and urgent opportunity in my bank.I look forward to your quick reply by telephone or to my alternative email address, balamartins_1001@excite.com yours faithfully,Mr. Bala Martins
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