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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: delta ogwo <delta.ogwo@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 07:31:41 +0100
Subject: FROM DR, VICTOR OTU

*FROM DR VICTOR OTU
TELL:+ 233-543-953-375
REPLY TO; delta.ogwo@yahoo.com
ATTN: DIRECTOR :
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
May I have the pleasure of introducing myself? I am Dr Delta Ogwo, a senior
staff and chairman of Tender Board Committee on the award of contracts in
Department of Works and Housing here in Accra Ghana. I got your contact
E-mail address from an international directory on lawyers and advisers on
international business in my quest to find a trustworthy person on whom I
can repose confidence for colossal international money transaction. My aim
of sending this "business proposal" to you is to solicit for your assistance
and co-operation to transfer some huge amount of money into your account
overseas. Therefore, this communication should be held in high confidence.

My colleague and I in the Department of Works and Land Affairs wish to
transfer into a safe and secured account overseas, the sum of THIRTY TWO
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED US$32.5M) which is over-invoiced amount from contracts
we awarded to foreign contractors who have been duly paid on completion of
their various contracts. This money right now is in a coded account in the
Reserve Bank of Ghana. However, by virtue of our position as civil servants,
we cannot acquire these funds in our names or in the names of companies here
in Accra Ghana. I was therefore asked by my colleagues on trust and
sincerity to look for a reliable international outfit partner abroad into
whose account the sum of US$32.5 Million will be transferred. We have agreed
on the following sharing ratio if you accept our proposal. 1. Seventy
percent (70%) for us and Thirty percent (30%) for you, the Account owner.

My choice of you for this transaction is basically hanged on your field and
profession, hence this business proposal. If you are interested in this
deal, I will require some information from you in order to affect the
transfer of the money. Please, be informed that we shall commence processing
of claims of payment once we receive your interest from you, and the funds
will get into your account within Five (5) working days by Telegraphic
Transfer (T.T). Note that this transaction is 100% risk free. Do acknowledge
the receipt of this letter above and forward your reply to this E-mail
address (delta_ogwo@yahoo.com) or you can call me on my private phone no. +
233-543-953-375

Best Regards

Dr Victor Otu
*

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