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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: OGUNSANMI ALEX <ogunsanmialex@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:47:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: understand and get back to me urgentely.


ATTN:Sir/Madam,
 
Please do reply to my private email on this(barr.mbakav21@live.com)
I am Barister Mbaka Voucher, the attorney at law to Late kumar, a national
of your country, who used to work as the Director of Produits petro liers
(TOTAL BENIN) in Benin Republic West Africa Here in after shall be
Referred to as my client.
 
On the 27th of May 2001, my client, His wife and their three Children were
involved in a car accident Along Sagbama express-road. All occupants of
the vehicle Unfortunately lost their lives. 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 decided to track his last
name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I
contacted you. 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 INTERNATIONALE DU BENIN (BIBE)" An
affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account
valued  at about $49.5 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 6 years, now I seek your consent to present you as the
next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name with him, so
that the proceeds of this account valued at $49.5 million dollars can be
paid to you and  then you and me can Share the money, 50% to me and 50% to
you. I will procure all necessary and legal documents that can be used to
back up any claim we may make.
 
All I require is your honest and truthful cooperation to enable us seeing
this Deal through. I will like you to reply me immediately on my private
email address after reading this letter. I guarantee that this will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law. Meanwhile, if you are interested please contact me
immediatyely with the following information below:
 
Your Age
Your Full Name
Your Mailing Address
Your Occupation and Position
Your Telephone and  Mobile  for Communication Purpose.
 
I await your reply ASAP.
Best Regards,
Barister Mbaka Voucher.



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