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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: usman bello <usman_bello_d83@live.co.za>
Reply-To: <usman_bello814@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:24:48 +0200
Subject: Urgent Reply



BELLO & ASSOCIATES (FINANCIAL ATTORNEY,NOTARY & SOLICITOR) ADDRESS :SUITE 408 ELEGANZA PLAZA APAPA- LAGOS. E Mail :usman_bello814@myway.com Tel:234 269 404 58
Dear Friend
I am sorry at the perceived confussion you may have by receieving this letter from me since we have not previously met.To be precise I am a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Engr .Mark , who used to work with Shell-petroleum Development Company in Nigeria. Hereafter shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2000, my client, his wife and their Three children were involved in a car accident along sagumu Express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately Lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquires To their embassy to locate any of my clients extended Relatives.This has also proved unsuccessful. Hence I Contacted you.
I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and Property left behind by my client before they get Confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this Huge deposits were lodge. Particularly, the finance company Where the deceased had an account valued at about 11.5million Dollars has issue me a notice to provide the next of kin of The deceased or have the account confiscated within a short Period of time.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for Over 3 years now I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this Account valued at 11.5million dollars can be paid to you and Then you and me can share the money.55% to me and 40% to You ,and 5% is for un-foreseen expenses. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used To backup any claim we may make. All I require is your Honest cooperation to enable this deal through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the Law.
Please get in touch with my email for more details and send to me yourTelephone and fax numbers to enable us further about this Transaction. Best regards,
Barrister Usman Bello
(principal partner Bello & Associates)
_________________________________________________________________
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