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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: "Hong Wu" <wu_private2009@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: whong82@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:59:15 -0500
Subject: Hello...

Compliment Of The Day!

It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because
you do not know me but I have a lucrative business proposal of mutual
benefits to share with you.

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Hong Wu operations manager of
the Bank of China (Shanghai Branch), 200 Mid. Yincheng Rd., Pudong New
District, Shanghai 200121, China. I have an obscured Business suggestion
for you.

In June, 2002, a certain British Crude oil merchant (Mr.Martin Walker)
came to our bank and made a Fixed (Numbered) deposit of Thirty Million
United State Dollars (US$30,000,000.00) Only in my branch for 12 calender
months. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding
address but got no reply. A month later, we sent a reminder and finally we
discovered from his contract employers, the Chinese Solid Minerals
Corporation that he died from an automobile accident. On further
investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL, and all
attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

After proper further investigations, it was also discovered that he did
not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper
work of his bank deposit and he also confided in me the last time he was
in my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank. So,
Thirty Million United State Dollars is still lying in my bank and no one
will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me most is that according
to Laws of Republic of China, at the expiration of seven {7} years the
funds will revert to the ownership of the Chinese Government if nobody
applies to claim the funds. What I wish to relate to you will smack of
unethical practice but I want you to understand something, It is only an
outsider to the banking world who finds the internal politics of the
banking world aberrational. The world of private banking especially is
fraught with huge rewards for those who occupy certain offices and oversee
certain portfolios. You should have begun by now to put together the
general direction of what I am proposing.

Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin so that you will be able to receive
the funds so that the fruits of this old man's labor will not get into the
hands of some corrupt government officials just like that.

MODALITIES:

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful. I shall employ the services of an attorney that will
prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin,
and also he will be drafting and tarization the WILL and to obtain the
necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favor for
the transfer. There is a reward for this project and it is a task well
worth undertaking. There is no risk involved at all in this transaction as
all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney and my
position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of this
transaction.

I have evaluated the risks and the only risk I have here is for you
refusing to work with me and alerting my bank. I am the only one who knows
of this situation, good fortune has blessed you with a name that has
planted you into the center of relevance in my life. Please endeavor to
observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the
funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall share
in the ratio of 50% for me, and 50% for you. I send you this mail not
without a measure of fear as to what the consequences, but I know within
me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches
never come easy or on a platter of gold. Please observe this instruction
religiously.

And I will prefer you reach me on my private email address:
whong82@yahoo.com.hk and finally after that I shall furnish you with more
information’s about this operation. Your earliest response to this
letter will be appreciated.

Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, we should plan a
meeting soon after this project is successful. Please observe utmost
confidentiality, and rest assured that this transaction would be most
profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to
invest my share in your country.

Kind Regards,

Hong Wu.
whong82@yahoo.com.hk


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