joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: MAMADOU AMADOU <m.amadou0@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: mamadou_200990@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 14:45:56 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: PERSONAL// INVESTMENT PROPOSAL FOR URGENT ATTENTION .


 
The Coordinator Of The Northern States Programs
ADB (Africa Development Bank) ABIDJAN, COTE D' IVOIRE / WEST AFRICA
Subject: PERSONAL// INVESTMENT PROPOSAL FOR URGENT ATTENTION
YOUR ATTENTION:
I am an ACCREDITED Auditor / Bank personnel of the above mentioned Bank. I got your contact from a very confidential source and I wish to maintain this confidentiality.
Actually, I decided to send you this proposal for your appraisal on a possible business consummation for our mutual interest.
I was the coordinator on technical cooperation and procurement to the Bank Of African funds development Projects/contract awards. I need your assurance to help conclude a very good transaction which I feel will interest you.
I came across a file of a deceased client which I was handling as special adviser, I discovered that the bank is trying to confiscate  the sum of $15,000,000 because from the file there was no record of next of kin.
It was only stated that the next of kin is referenced with a code number (45263). With this it means that the account owner is a rich person and therefore gives this code to indicate that on his death any one with this code that will apply for his money should be honoured. And after my investigation I discovered the account owner died in a plane crash with his family.
I discover that if anyone does not come up with application for claim to this money there are senior officials that will confiscate the funds with excuses that no one signal ownership after the death of the account owner, and the banking regulation states that after four years of no next of kin identification or application from any one for this funds the funds will be reverted to state treasury.
I want to have this funds transferred to your account if you can follow my instructions, I am ready to negotiate with you to have this funds transfer to a safe account which you shall provide since the owner of this account is a foreigner and indigenes can not apply for the claim.
 
I will be able to enter into details discussion with you if you show your interest and capability to handle this transaction with uttermost confidentiality, trust with transparency.
This is 100 % risk free and I am offering you 40% of the whole fund while I take 50% 10 will be set aside for the charges to be paid to cover banking process.
Upon your response I shall provide you with more details that will put a clear understanding, be assured this is not a joke or April fool, this is genuine and opportunities like this comes but once, do not put prejudice in between.
Awaiting your urgent reply, please save me the anxiety of endless waiting.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr Mamdou Amadou.

Anti-fraud resources: