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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: "Adams Williams" <adamswilliams51@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:52:27 +0200
Subject: URGENT FUND TRANSFER


*From: Mr. Adams Williams*

*Tel: +27-720216005 *

*Fax: +27115075114
Email:* adamswilliams01@hotmail.com <adamswilliams01@hotmail.com>

*
Attn: Directos/CEO,

May I have the pleasure of introducing myself. I am Mr. Adams Williams, a
senior staff and chairman of Tender Board Committee on the award of
contracts in Department of Works and Housing here in South Africa . I got
your contact E-mail address from an international directory on lawyers and
advisers on international business in my quest to find a trustworthy person
on whom I can repose confidence for colossal international money
transaction. My aim of sending this "business proposal" to you is to solicit
for your assistance and co-operation to transfer some huge amount of money
into your account overseas. Therefore, this communication should be held in
high confidence.

My colleague and I in the Department of Works and Land Affairs wish to
transfer into a safe and secured account overseas, the sum of US$32.5Million
(Thirty Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) which is
over-invoiced amount from contracts we awarded to foreign contractors who
have been duly paid on completion of their various contracts. This money
right now is in a coded account in the Reserve Bank of South Africa .
However, by virtue of our position as civil servants, we cannot acquire
these funds in our names or in the names of companies here in South Africa .


I was therefore asked by my colleagues on trust and sincerity to look for a
reliable international outfit partner abroad into whose account the sum of
US$32.5 Million will be transferred. We have agreed on the following sharing
ratio if you accept our proposal. Seventy percent (70%) for us and Thirty
percent (30%) for you, the Account owner. My choice of you for this
transaction is basically hanged on your field and profession, hence this
business proposal. If you are interested in this deal, I will require some
information's from you in order to affect the transfer of the money. *

* *

*1. Your Full Names:*

*2. Your Company Name and Address:*

*3. Your Telephone Numbers:*

*4. Your Private Fax Numbers:*

* *

*Please, be informed that we shall commence processing of claims of payment
once we receive your interest from you, and the funds will get into your
account within Five (5) working days by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T). Note
that this transaction is 100% risk free. Do acknowledge the receipt of this
letter forward your reply to the above or below email address of Fax Number*

* *

*Best Regards,*



*Mr. Adams Williams*

*Tel: +27-720216005 *

*Fax: +27115075114
Email: adamswilliams01@hotmail.com*

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