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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: Simeon Tawiah <sim_tawiah002@yahoo.co.nz>
Reply-To: simeon.taw_001@live.com
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:16:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED


Attn: Dearest Friend,
 
My Name is Mr. Simeon Tawiah,I am the General Manager, Finance and Administration of our Bank.I got your information during my search through the Internet.It may interest you to hear that I am a man of PEACE and don't want problems,I only hope we can assist each other.If you don't want this business offer kindly forget it as I will not contact you again.
 
I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit both of us,as the General Manager, Finance and Administration of the Bank; it is my duty to send in a financial report to my head office at the end of each year. On the course of the last year 2008 end of year report,I discovered that my branch made Ten million Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars (US$10,750.000..00) which my head office are not aware of and will never be aware of. I have since placed this fund on what we call SUSPENSE ACCOUNT without any beneficiary.
 
As an officer of the bank I can not be directly connected to this money, so this informed my contacting you for us to work so that you can assist to receive this money into your bank account for us to SHARE. While you will have 40% of the total fund. Note there are practically no risk involved,it will be bank to bank transfer,all I need from you is to stand claim as the original depositor of this fund who made the deposit with our branch so that my Head office can order the transfer to your designated bank account.
 
If you accept this offer to work with me,I will appreciate it very much. As soon as I receive your response I will detail you on how we can achieve it successfully.
 
Please indicate your genuine willingness and your urgent response to simeon..taw_001@live.com
 
Best regards,
Mr. Simeon Tawiah.
 



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