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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Joseph Manjar" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <josephmanjar1@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 16:20:33 +0100
Subject: *************URGENT CASH EVACUATION SEEKING ASSISTANCE*******

 
Barrister Joseph Manjar
Yekpe And Associates
174 Rue de Akpakpa
Cotonou-Benin Republic.
Email: josephmanjar1@gmail.com
Tel: 00229-97348848
 
ATTN:
 
I am Barrister Joseph Manjar,the attorney at law to Late Michael Moebius ,a national of your country, who used to work as the Director  of Socilite Nationale de Commercialisation des Produts Petroliers (SONACOP)Oil Company in Benin Republic  Here in after shall be Referred to as my client.
 
On the 27th of May 2004, my client, His wife and their three Children were involved in a plane-craft accident. All occupants of the plane Unfortunately lost their lifes.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts,  I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank here.  These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the "BANQUE ATLANTIQUE DU BENIN (BAB)" where the Deceased had an account valued  at about $18.5 million dollars.
 
The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over 5 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased ,so that the proceeds of this account valued at $18.5 million dollars can be paid to you and  then you and me can Share the money.45% to me and 45% to you and the remaining 10% will be for any payment that will involve during the course of this transaction, I will procure all Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us seeing this Deal through.
 
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. And the way we are going to achieve this is I will need the following information from you to start with,
 
Your Full Name and  your Address,
 
Your Age, Occupation and Position,
 
Your Telephone and  fax  for Communication Purpose.
 
I await your reply ASAP.
 
Best Regards,
Barrister Joseph Manjar.

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