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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: "uk lottery" <darling_uk_lot20@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:44:19 +0200
Subject: PERSONAL FUND TRANSFER

 

From:Mr John Cliff
The Chief Auditor.
Standard Bank of South Africa.
Standard South Africa.
E mail:johncliff4kd2@yahoo.co.uk                                
 
Attention:Director/Ceo,/Sir,Madam                                            
                              
 PERSONALFUND TRANSFER             
                                                    
 
I write to introduce this urgent/important business opportunity to you irrespective of the fact that we have not seen or known each other before believing that it will be of immense benefit to both of us. Let me formally introduce myself. I am Mr JOHN CLIFF.
                             
                                                    
 
I write to introduce this urgent/important business opportunity to you irrespective of the fact that we have not seen or known each other before believing that it will be of immense benefit to both of us. Let me formally introduce myself. I am Mr John Cliff.  The Chief Auditor of the STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA. (Standard) South Africa, I got your contact through the South African Chamber of Commerce in my earnest search for a reliable individual who can assist me to make this transaction a reality. 
 
With my believe in you i know that you will never let me down. 0r go to expose it to another person. There is an outstanding sum of US$20,000.000.00 (twenty Million United States Dollars) belonging to Mr. Andrea B.Smith a foreigner and a Miner in the Kruger Gold Company, a geologist by profession. This fund was deposited since 2000 and since then nobody has operated on this account which according to the banking regulations any account left to this duration of years without being attended to will be forfeited to the government coffers account.  After going through some old files in the record,  I discovered that the owner of this dormant account Mr. Andrea B. smith does not exist anymore and that if I do not remit this fund out urgently, it would be forfeited for nothing.
 
I am contacting you because of the need to involve a foreigner with account and foreign beneficiary; I need your full co-operation to make this work out fine because the management is ready to approve this payment to a foreigner, who has the correct information of this account, which I will provide to you. Should this interest you, kindly furnish me with your overseas account details including your private phone and fax numbers for easy communication. Meanwhile,  I am prepared to transfer this sum of US$20,000.000.00 Million. With my position now in the office, this fund can be transferred out to any foreigner reliable account,which you can provide with assurance that this money will be intact pending my physical arrival in your country for sharing.  I will destroy all documents of transaction immediately we receive this money leaving no trace to any place.
 
And will also use my position and influence to effect legal approvals and onward transfer of the money to your account with appropriate clearance from the Ministry and Foreign Exchange Departments. I have resolved to compensate you by briefing a brokerage commission of 35% net per-transfer expenses you may incur, 5%set aside for general expenses, and 60% will be for me and I guarantee you that all expenses during the transfer are subject to refund.  Most importantly, I must emphasize that this business requires the utmost confidentiality and trustworthiness. We need to make an agreement that will bind us together and the same will protect individual interest in the near future. I will apply for an annual leave to get visa for a trip to your country once I confirm your readiness for this operation.
 
In recognition to your personal executive power and investment opportunities that is bond in your country, do know that I have it inmind to establish a genuine business relationship with you in the nearest future, if you will be able to help me.  In order to expedite action,Please accept my compliments, as I await your kind response through the above the telephone . For your oral clarifications please call this my private number +27 739-831-874 and for detailed informations.
 
Thanks and god bless
Regards
John Cliff


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