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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: Ousmane Conte <conte.xxicentury@gmx.com>
Reply-To: conteheir1@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:06:15 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Utmost Business Relationship


Dear Sir,
 
It is with deep sense of responsibility that I convey to you sincere assurances of my regards. I urge you to permit my impertinence in contacting you through e-mail, even when we have not met before. My name is Ousmane Conte, the first son of the Late Lansana Conte, former President of Guinea. Currently I live in Burkina Faso .
 
There is presently a massive restructuring going on in my country in all spheres of our national life and indications are that the present government in my country would institute an inquest into my father’s tenure with a view to seizing most of my father’s assets. Members of my family are aware of the impending government clampdown and has mandated me to source for trustworthy person through whom we can transfer to an Overseas Account, the sum of US$126,000.000.00 (ONE TWENTY SIX MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) from one of the prime banks in Conakry, Guinea. It is for this reason that I beseech you to afford my family a reprieve in this transfer or in the alternative recommend another reliable and honest person like yourself who will be capable and fit to provide either an existing bank account or to set up a new Bank a/c immediately to receive this money. May I suggest that even an empty a/c with zero balance can serve to receive this fund and also
it is of great essence that you remain honest till the end for this transaction, which I dare say is very urgent.
 
The major reason for requesting your assistance in this direction is that only a foreigner with vital information on the account can access the funds. In our country approval for the transfer of such funds cannot be secured for a local person. Upon positive response from you, I shall avail you of the details of the account. I am constrained to believe in your utmost good faith in dealing with me on this matter considering my unreserved confidence in you.
 
My family and a key government official, who benefited from my late father and who is presently holding a key position in the government of my country would want your sincere assurance of safety for this fund upon transfer. It is important I inform you that my family and I are aware of the government regulations on fund transfer in this country and on my honor, I guarantee you that this transaction IS ABSOLUTELY RISK FREE and would be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Every document, both in the government and at the bank, relating to this transaction will be demised as soon as you receive the fund. Moreover, a solid arrangement to obtain all legal approvals for the onward transfer of the funds into your account with appropriate clearance from the relevant ministries and foreign exchange departments shall be done by a renowned lawyer. In fact this lawyer has worked with my father for over 11 years
before his death; representing him in several investment projects.
 
At the conclusion of this transaction, you will be given 35% of the total amount, 60% will be for my family while the remaining 5% will be for the expenses.  Your urgent response through my email address would be appreciated while also not forgetting to appreciate the privacy involved in this correspondence.
 
While reassuring you of my esteemed regards and best wishes, I remain
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Ousmane S. Conte.



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