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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: chiderahwilliams@zipmail.com.br
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 11:03:10 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?URGENT=20REPLY=20NOW?=

From Mr.Chiderah Williams
Auditing and Account Officer
Bceao Bank Benin
Email:chiderahwilliams@yahoo.fr

Attn:My Dear,
I am Mr.Chiderah Williams,the director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of Bceao Bank Cotonou,Republic of Benin, West Africa, and also a
special account officer to Mr.George K.Mashal,an American.He was a seasoned
contractor with Benin Cement Company, Cotonou, who unfortunately died in
a plane crash that killed 135 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on 26th December,
2003.As the plane plunged into the sea off the West African state of Benin
on Thursday 2003.
You will read more stories about the crash on visiting this website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm

Before his death on the 26th December 2003, Mr.George K.Mashal has a fixed
deposit account with the us and no other person knew about this account
or have any informations relating to this account.The account has no beneficiary
nor did next-of-kin other than him and my investigation reveals that his
supposed next-of-kin died along with him in the crash.Since then, I have
made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives, this has
also proved unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided
to contact you.

I'm contacting you to assist in remittance of a dormant fund as the next
of kin left behind by Mr.George K.Mashal so as not to allow the Bank confiscate
or declare the funds unserviceable according to Benin Republic financial
law on unclaimed bills which the government usually map out for the purchase
of ammunitions which are the major course of conflicts in the west of Africa
states.

Consequently, I'm seeking your consent to present you as the next-of-kin
of the deceased so that the outstanding fixed deposit (US$10.7M) will be
remitted into any designated accounbt of yours to be shared by both of us
in the ratio of 60% to me and 40% for you.I have all necessary legal documents
to back up this claim.

All that is required of you is absolute honesty, total commitment, co-operation
& absolute confidentiality.Be rest-assured that this transaction will be
executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect both parties from
breach of the law and it is 100% risk free and attracts no authorities and
every information you will require as the next of kin will be forwarded
to you after your final acceptance to help me champion this deal.

If this proposal is acceptable to you,kindly email your following information
to me:
a. Full Name(s)
b. Direct phone & fax number(s)
c. Your direct email & any other information you may deem helpful.
Thank you for your cooperation until I read from you.You may also reach
me at my private mailbox and for further information on Email:
Sincerely yours,
Mr.Chiderah Williams
email:chiderahwilliams@yahoo.fr




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