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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: barpoku <barpoku@orange.nl>
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:44:25 +0100 (CET)
Subject: AM WAITING


BARRISTER POKU ELLA
Counselors At Law
Avocat 04 BP 551, Cotonou,
République du Bénin
Email: bar.pokuella@yahoo.fr

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister POKU ELLA , the attorney at law to Late David Ruffin,a foreign national who was an international business man,living here in cotonou,Benin Republic West Africa. Herein shall be Referred to as my client.

On the 27th of May 2001, my client, His wife and their three Children were involved in a ghastly car accident Along Sagbama express-road. All occupants of the vehicle Unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful.

Before his death, he has a huge sum of (US$18.5m) deposited in AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) here in cotonou Benin Republic,which no other person knows about.Unfortunately, the bank has just giving me an altumatum of 21 working days to provide the Next Of Kin or have this fund confiscated.
Consequently, the Bank mandated me to look out for any of his extended relatives to stand in as the Next Of Kin/Beneficiary of this fund deposited.
This is why I have contacted you to render assistance in repatriating the money and the properties left behind by my client, before they will be confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank.As his personal Attorney, i am in possession of the legal documents, which shows the entire transactions between him and the Bank in relation to the fund deposit.
My constraint is to be able to source for a foreign partner who is an honest and a trustworthy individual,that will stand in as the Next Of Kin,who will be willing to assist me in this transaction and also provide an account where this money will be transfered.Your share as compensation will be 40% while mine will be 60%.
This transaction is 100% risk free provided you treat it with utmost confidentiality.I guarantee you that the entire transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement, that will protect you and me from any breach of the law as a lawyer and all documents that will be required by the Bank to authenticate the claim will be provided.
Kindly contact me immediately indicating your astute willigness to assist me.I will need the following informations from you.
Your Full Name and Address................................
Your Age.................................................
Occupation and position..................................
Your Telephone /fax numbers for easier communications

PLEASE THIS IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
For privacy reply to my private
Email account: bar.pokuella@yahoo.fr

I await your reply ASAP.
Best Regards,
Barrister Poku Ella.

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