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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: "shamsudeen usman" <shamsudeenusman1@peru.com>
Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 06:09:49 -0700
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION: PLEASE RESPOND URGENTLY


*Dr Shamsudeen Usman
The Honorable Minister of
Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria
*
*WWW.FMF.GOV.NG* <http://www.fmf.gov.ng/>*
*
*Hello,*
* *
*Be informed that the report on your payment file this morning stated that
so many people were interested on your payment and that was what brought
about the confusion and all the attempts to divert your fund. Now, every
thing regarding the tenure of our corrupt ex President Olusegun obasanjo
have been cancelled.

The new president Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'adua is a man that believes so much
on the rule of law and transparency. We sincerely apologize to you and your
company over all the damage caused by the government of Obasanjo to you and
your company vendours. This is to inform you that MR. AHMED ADAMS from
Pakistan and his Nigeria partner, MR. SADIQ ABDUL came to my office today
with a "POWER OF ATTORNEY" signed by you and a new bank account as stated
below.*
**
*JINNING BRANCH BANK
CHINA INNER MOGOLIA JINNY
7 NUMBER 5, ROAD
ACCOUNT # 1-277-0084
BANK ROUTING#:102000021A.*
**
*The "POWER OF ATTORNEY" requested for a change in the receiving bank
account particulars and the federal ministry of finance is surprised because
you did not inform us officially of the sudden change of the new
beneficiary. Interestingly, they brought the "POWER OF ATTORNEY" and the
charges for the change of bank account totaling US$550.00 (five hundred and
fifty United States Dollars) only. But we rejected the money pending our
clarification. On this note, we acted professionally and in accordance to
the laid down rules and regulations of this ministry, I interviewed them but
unfortunately I was not satisfied with the answers they gave which was not
in line with the rules and regulations of this ministry as regard to change
of account or beneficiary. I want to state here that the conduct of the two
men became suspicious due to the unsatisfactory information they provided
concerning this transfer, and as a result, I decided to give them seven (7)
days
appointment ahead to enable me make necessary verification from you and the
appropriate authorities in the release of your fund. We have resolved to do
that to avoid making wrong transfer. Please, kindly advise us appropriately
whether the two men are acting on your permission and instructions or not. I
am anxiously looking forward to receive your urgent response.
Thanks for your anticipated co-operation.*
**
*Dr Shamsudeen Usman
The Honorable Minister of
Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria*

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