joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Robert Gezi" <bob.gezi1@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:53:52 +0200
Subject: Re: Urgent


Mr. Robert Gezi
Department of Finance & Economic Affairs

Private Bag X 091 Marshalltown

2107 Pretoria .South Africa .


Request for Business Relationship



Dear friend,


Please accept this email and proposal from me, it is specifically meant for
your direct attention.



First, I must solicit your confidence in a business transaction. I am a high
placed official working with Department of Finance & Economic Affairs, in
Pretoria South Africa. I am currently in need of a foreign partner whose
cooperation and expertise we can use to transfer the sum of $26M Twenty Six
Million U.S. dollars. This money is legitimate and is part of commission
from a foreign contract that was executed through our ministry, the actual
contract was over invoiced whereas this amount is the surplus amount.

The money is presently waiting to be paid out from ABSA Bank here in South
Africa to any overseas beneficiary/account confirmed by us as the
contractor/beneficiary.
By virtue of my positions as a top civil servant in my country, I cannot
acquire this money in my name or personal capacity. Because as high placed
civil servants, we are not allowed by the civil service code of conduct to
own or operate bank accounts outside our country or offshore account. On the
other hand, it is not safe for us to keep the money here due to uncertainty
of the turn out of events is dispensation of the political environment and
pitfalls in today's democracy.


I am mandated as a matter of trust to look for an overseas partner who could
work with us to facilitate transfer of this fund for our mutual benefit,
hence the reason for this email to you.


What I am requesting from you is: (1) to cooperate with us and act as a
subcontractor to receive the money as payment of a contract executed here in
South Africa. The original contract sum has been paid out, and the sub
contract amount which we shall secure all legal documentation and approvals
based on the time of completion of the contract to authenticate our claim.
(2) Provide a private telephone and fax number for easy communication under
your control. (3)Receive the money as the beneficiary in your bank account,
take out your commission and keep the rest of the money for us as we shall
instruct you. I will arrive in your country to meet you after the transfer
is completed.

My proposal to you in this business will be accomplished in this manner, 25%
of the money will be your commission for your co-operation and assistance in
facilitating the transfer, 75% belongs to me and my colleagues. You will be
free to indicate the best account for this operation. Since our objective is
to invest the money in a foreign country, it would be appreciated if you
could also help us in investing into profitable/lucrative ventures in your
country, I will prefer a joint venture or establishing a good company so
that it will give us opportunity to resign.

However, this is optional. But I am willing to negotiate with you regarding
our own part of the money.


This transaction is legitimate and without any risks, either to us or
yourself. Please, give me your response immediately by return email through
my alternate email:
(robertgezi@yahoo.com<http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=robertgezi@yahoo.com>)



Yours Faithfully,

Robert Gezi

(Tell; +27-72-462-3002)

Anti-fraud resources: