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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: "Mr.Pascal Elom" <pelom208@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 13:38:40 +0100
Subject: I have a proposal for you !


From the desk of Mr.Pascal Elom.
Auditting Department,
DIMOND TRUST & FINANCE COMPANY.
Lome Togo.
Phone..+228 911 55 05.
Email : p.eprivate@yahoo.com<http://us.mc462.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=p.eprivate@yahoo.com>

Dear Friend,

I have a proposal for you - this however is not mandatory nor will I in any
manner compel you to honour against your will. I am 50, and work with a
company (one of the African leading company in the West Coast). Here in this
company existed a dormant account for the past years which belong to
Mr.Arthur Smith an American national who is now late.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm

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 investigation
and discovered that non of the family member nor relations of the late
person is aware of this account. This is the story in a nutshell.

Now I want an account overseas where the company will transfer this
funds.Thereafter, I had planned to destroy all related documents for this
account. It is a careful network and for the past eleven months I have
worked out everything to ensure a hitch-free operation. The amount is not so
much at the moment and plus all the accumulated interest the balance in
this account stands at-(US$ 18.5 million US dollars)

Now my questions are:-

1. Can you handle this project?
2. Can I give you this trust?
3. What will be your commission? If you can sponsor this transfer.
4. mail with phone&fax number...........

Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Finally, it is my
humble prayer that the information as contained herein be accorded the
necessary attention, urgency as well as the secrecy it deserves. I Expect
your urgent response if you can handle this project. .

Respectfully yours,
Mr.Pascal Elom.

Anti-fraud resources: