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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: "Andrew Amponsah" <ssss5@mchsi.com>
Reply-To: andrewamponsah3@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:52:19 +0000
Subject: Please Read

Hello,
I got your contact from a professional database when I was searching through the internet for a reliable, honest and trustworthy person to entrust this with. I was simply inspired and motivated to pick your details from the many names in the list of the directory. I am Mr.Andrew Amponsah Former Accountant of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ghana my office monitors and controls the affairs of all banks and Financial institutions in Ghana concerned with foreign contract payments. I am the final signatory to any transfer or remittance of huge funds moving within banks both on the local and international levels in line to foreign contracts settlement.
I have before me list of funds, which could not be transferred to some nominated accounts as these accounts have been identified either as ghost accounts, unclaimed deposits and over-invoiced sum etc. I can now include your name among the people expecting the funds to be transferred into their account, on this note; I wish to have a deal with you as regards to this unpaid funds. I have all the files before me and hope to fix your data correctly once i hear from you as one of the beneficiaries.
As it is my duty to recommend the transfer of these surplus funds to the Federal Government Treasury and Reserve Accounts as unclaimed deposits, I have the opportunity to write you based on this instructions,
I received two days ago from the parliamentary Committee on Contract Payments/Foreign Debts to submit the List of payment reports/expenditures and audited reports of revenues. Among several others, I have decided to remit your contract sum following my idea that we have a deal/agreement and I am going to do this legally.
My conditions are as follows: 1. The sum of USD$17.5Million only will be transferred to you. After you have confirmed the transfer of the total sum into your account by telegraphic Transfer (T/T), confirmable in 3 Working days. I will fly to your country to meet with you for the sharing. The sharing will go like this: 40% for you and 60% for me. If you are comfortable with this, you can get back to me with your details.
2. This deal must be kept secret forever, and all correspondence will be strictly by email and telephone, for security purposes. You must assure me of your 100% commitment and attention to enable us conclude this transaction in a couple of days. 3. There should be no third parties as most problems associated with such transactions or businesses are caused by agents or representatives. If you AGREE with my conditions, l will advise you on what to do immediately and the transfer will commence without delay as I will proceed to fix your name on the Payment schedule instantly to meet the three days mandate.
Please reply to my email below.
Email: andrewamponsah3@gmail.com
Best Wishes
Andrew Amponsah

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