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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: "Marlin E. Buckley" <marlinb360@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2007 19:08:21 +0100
Subject: Have a pleasant weekend.



Enron Corporation.4 Houston Center1221 Lamar, Suite 1600Houston, TX 77010,USA.www.Enron.com Sir, It's indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before or had previous correspondence, but I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please kindly forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is of exceptional and very private nature. I am Marlin E. Buckley Jr, the officer in charge of special projects to Mr. Stephen D. Bennett who recently resigned as a member of the board of directors of Enron Energy Corporation, 4 Houston Center, 1221 Lamar, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77010, USA (www.enron.com), a Multi Billion dollar energy corporation in the United States of America, USA. My Job description at Enron Energy Corporation amongst others is project management, Verification and Recommending for payment, funds for our overseas operations and Building projects for work done by our far east countries partners/clients. Just before Enron filed for bankruptcy, we were in the process of paying out huge funds to some of our foreign clients, this was however suspended after I and my other colleagues who also know about this fund stepped in following the discovery that our Accounting firm Arthur Anderson was carrying out some accounting irregularities. I just discovered that we had a closing balance as at the end of November, 2006 worth $9,286,181.37 Million US dollars. These funds are safe in a coded offshore account in Europe. However, few months ago I discovered that we had a closing balance as at the end of December, 2006 worth $19,286,181.37 US dollars. These funds are safe in a coded offshore account in Europe, hence my search for a reliable person to assist me move this fund into his account for our mutual benefits. I can provide with company's vital documents and the financial statement as at December, 2006 where the said fund was lodged in a coded account. Incidentally, before the company was sealed, I succeeded in securing some vital classified documents pertaining to Energy Corporation and the said fund (US$19,286,181.37) in collaboration with one of my senior colleague who ordered that the documents be kept sectretly till we move this fund into a reliable and interest bearing account for us all. Note that this venture is completely safe as I have shredded all documents concerning the whereabouts of our offshore accounts before the company folded up and the funds can not be traced anywhere in the world by any one. Presently, I am in Europe and need a reliable partner that can assist in standing in as a client of Energy Corporation, of which payment for work done is long overdue. If you agree to work with me in this venture, I will provide all information(s), documents and financial details in respect of the funds deposited, that will empower and substantiate your claim of the funds for our mutual benefits. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it is my duty to write and reach out to you, although I am constrained by insufficient information about you, but I think I have been able to express in full the main objectives of this proposal to you. Kindly confirm your willingness or otherwise to me via email to enable me put things in proper perspective and also forward to me your private contact co-ordinates. I would provide you with my credentials, ID and more details as soon as you acknowledge receipt of this mail and also furnish me with your details to enable us proceed without any further delay. Immediate response and your personal contact details will be highly appreciated. Yours faithfully, Marlin E. Buckley.
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