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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Peter" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <petlesedi@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:42:34 +0100
Subject: PETER

Dear Friend,

How is life with you and family? I hope all is well? Before I write further,
I will like to introduce myself to you. My names are Peter Lesedi, I am a
South African citizen, and my father was one of the foreign political enemies
of President Robert Mugabe before he was finally eliminated by Mugabe .

Before the death of my father, he used my name to deposit some amount of money
amounting to the tune of (Euro3million) in BBVA Bank in Madrid
in Madrid.

Last week, I came into Ghana to seek political asylum in the refugee camp And
this morning I had a phone conversation with the wire transfer manager of the
Bank, and they assured me that it will only take them 48 working-hours to transfer
the fund through a telegraphic wire-banking system and 24 hours application for
hand delivery since the fund is legitimately mine.
All I want is for you to please help me; I am only 19yrs old and nobody to run to
for help and advice. The Bank Manager told me that my father left specific
instruction that the funds should not be released to me freely until I am 25years
or until I produce a foreign partner who lives Abroad. So that I will be invited
to continue my studies and invest the money.

I promise you that once the fund gets into your account, take out 45% and help me
invest the balance 55%, then please help me also to get me traveling documents
e.g. Visa and ticket to meet you up once the fund are in your account because I
cannot go back to my country.

Please kindly send me your full names contact address occupation and direct phone
numbers so that I can give you all the information's.

Peter Lesedi

Anti-fraud resources: