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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: Godwin James <godwin.james76@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:53:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT LETTER//





























=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=20
=A0
=A0

FROM DR.GODWIN JAMES
AUDITING DEPARTMENT=20
NATIONAL TRUST BANK OF=20
LOME-TOGO IN W/AFRICA.


=A0
Attention,

I have a proposal for you.However is not mandatory nor will I in any manner=
compel you to honour against your will. I am 52yrs, and work with one of t=
he African leading banks in the West Africa National Trust Bank lome-togo. =
Here in this bank existed a dormant account for the past 2 years which belo=
ng to one of our customer who is now late Mr Patterson Burton who died on M=
otor Accident.=20
=A0
When I discovered that there had been no deposits nor withdrawals from this=
account for this long period, I decided to carry out a system investigatio=
n and discovered that non of the family member nor relations of the late pe=
rson is aware of this account.=20
=A0
This is the story in a nutshell. Now I want an account overseas where the b=
ank will transfer this funds.Thereafter, I had planned to destroy all relat=
ed documents for this account. It is a careful network and for the past ele=
ven months I have worked out everything to ensure a hitch-free operation. T=
he amount is not so much at the moment and plus all the accumulated interes=
t the balance in this account stands at-(US$ 12.5 million US dollars).=20
=A0
Now our questions are:-=20
=A0
1. Can you handle this transaction with me in good faith.............?
=A02. Can I give you this trust...........................?=20
3. What will be your commission? If you can sponsor this transfer........=
=20
4. Your E-mail with phone..&.. fax numbers...........
=A05 your Age ......................................=20
6 Occupation....................................

Consider this and get back at us as soon as possible. Finally, it is our hu=
mble prayer that the information as contained herein be accorded the necess=
ary attention, urgency as well as the secrecy it deserves. I Expect your ur=
gent response if you can handle this transaction with me.=20
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
Respectfully yours,=20
Dr.GOWIN JAMES.=0A=0A=0A

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