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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: john mensah <john_mensah_6@msn.com>
Reply-To: <john_mensah121@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:33:38 +0000
Subject: HOW ARE YOU TODAY






REGUEST TO TRANSFER THE SUM OF USD$10.MILLION ONLY)TO YOUR
SAFE ACCOUNT

I wish to intimate you with this proposal in my capacity
as Chief Financial Controller,ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN
STATES(ECOWAS)and in full agreement and consent with the Auditor-General and the
chairman,ECOWAS CONTRACT AWARD COMMITTEE.We scrutinized all records and the
accounts of awarded and executed contracts to supply arms and ammunitions to the
Ecowas Peace Keeping Forces(ECOMOG)in Liberia and Sierra-Leone during the Civil
war,However we deliberately over invoiced the contract sum to $55.Million.The
actual contract sum was $45.Million.The original Contractor has been paid
off.Since the inception of democracy in those countries,we therefore seek for
your assistance to transfer into your account as the beneficiary,the over
invoiced whooping sum of $10.Million.

As top civil Servants, we are not
authorized to operate foreign bank accounts hence our decision to use your
account in full trust and confidence to transfer this money into your account.
We have accepted you as our foreign partner and will regularize and update the
approvals to reflect you as the true beneficiary of the contract.


Moreover, it is pertinent to note that it is not risky and does not
require much engagements since we have taken care of the deal in full capacity.
We have resolved to give you 50% of the total sum for your assistance. If you
are interested in this deal Remember to give to me your phone and fax lines
through which l can send you approved documents for your perusal. You will send
me a letter of invitation immediately the money get into your account,to
represent my colleagues. I am anxiously waiting for your response with hope that
you will understand the confidential nature of this transaction.

DR.JOHN
MENSAH
Chief Financial Controller{ECOWAS}
+233 249 139 962


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