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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: Steven Kwamaje <steven_kw.barclays@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: stevenkw.barclays@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 07:43:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL;FROM BARCLAYS


From: The Manager,
Barclays Bank of Ghana Ltd
Achimota Branch.
Accra-Ghana
West-Africa
26/January/2008

Good day,

I got your contact during my research for a reliable, trust worthy and honest person to introduce this transfer project to. My name is Mr.Steven Kwamaje.
I am a branch manager in the Barclays Bank of Ghana Ltd, Ghana. I am a Ghanaian married with two kids.

I am writing to solicit for your assistance in the noble transfer of US$9.300.000. This fund is the excess of what my branch in which I am the manager made as profit during the last two years transactions. I have already submitted an approved end of last two Years report for the year 2006/2007 to my Head Office here in Accra-Ghana and they will never know of this Excess.

I have since then, placed this money US$9.3Million (Nine Million, three hundred thousand United States Dollars) on an ESCROW ACCOUNT without a beneficiary.
As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am impelled to request for your assistance based on your status to help me receive this money in your bank account.With your business experience you should know exactly what this transaction is all about,I intend to part with 25% of this funds to you if only you will assist me to tranfer this money out of my country.

I do not need to stress the fact that there are practically no risks involved on your side in this transaction,It is simply going to be a bank-to-bank transfer to your nominated bank account anywhere you know this money will be safe.
All I need from you is to stand as the original beneficiary who deposited this funds with my Head office and I will give you all the necessary information needed to back up your claims.

You must keep this transaction confidential If you are interested in doing business with me,i can't afford to lose my job.
Get back to me as soon as you receive this message so i can discuss the full details with you.
I will appreciate your urgent response.

With regards,
Mr.Steven Kwamaje


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