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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: "bello bello" <bellobello116@gala.net>
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:59:27 +0200
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE:


*I NEED YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE:
FROM: MR.HASSNA.K. USUMAN
CHIEF AUDITOR MINISTRIE OF FINANCE*

*ECONOMICS COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC. *


*Dear Good Friend, *

* Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you as asurprise and if it
might offend you without your prior consent and writing through this
channel.*

* I AM MR.HASSNA.K.USUMAN CHIEF AUDITOR MINISTRIE OF FINANCE ECONOMICS
COTONUO-BENIN REPUBLIC.*

*I got your information when I was searching for a reliable,honest and
trustworthy person to entrust this business with.I was simply inspired and
motivated to pick your contact from the many names and lists in the web
site.*

*I wish to transfer the sum of $14,300,000.00 USD (Fourteen Million Three
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only.into your personal or company`s
bank account.This fund was a residue of the over invoiced Industrial
Contract bills awarded by MINISTRIE OF FINANCE ECONOMICS COTONUO-BENIN
REPUBLIC to some foreign firms. This DEAL was deliberately hatched out and
carefully protected with all the attendant lope holes sealed off.*

*As the chief auditor,I have the cooperation and mandate of the
Financial Director and the Secretary. It was my consensus to seek the
assistance of a willing foreigner to provide us with the facilities to
transfer this money out of West Africa.*

*This is borne out of our beleive in the non-stable and sporous political
nature of this sub-region. The original contractors have been duely paid by
the Banque Centrale Des Etats De L`Afrique De L`Ouest (Central Bank of the
West African States)This balance is suspended in the escrow accounts
awaiting claims by any foreign company of our choice.I intend to pay out
this fund now as the organisation is winding up its activities.*

*Based on the laws and ethics of employment,we as civil servants working
under this organisation, are not allowed to operate aforeign account.This is
the more reason why we needed your assistance to provide an account that can
sustain this fund for safe keeping and our future investment with your
comprehensive advise,assistance and partnership in your country. *

*I have however agreed,as the account owner in this deal to allow you 40% of
the entire sum as compensation,why 55% will be held on trust for me while 5%
will be used to defray any incidental charges and cost if any.*

*Upon the receipt of your information, the certificate of job completion of
one of the contracts will be issued in your for the transfering of the fund
to your nominated account without delay.As with the case of all organised
(sensitive)and conspired DEALS,we solicit for your unreserved
confidentiality and utmost secret in this business. *

*We hope to retire peacefully and lead a honourable business life
afterwards.There are no risks involved.*

* pls reply to this email address
:(**mr_hassan_k_u@mail.ru*<mr_hassan_k_u@mail.ru>
*)

REPLY ASAP.
Best Regards.
MR.HASSNA.K.USUMAN*

* *

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