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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: "The Presidency" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ben.bendle@f-mail.net>
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:14:16 +0800
Subject: The Presidency...Your Ref: 212.150.84.146

CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL
Dear Sir,
We are top government officials and currently members of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Contract Review Panel. We are interested in the importation of goods into our country with fund, which are presently trapped in Nigeria.
The prosecuting of a transaction of this magnitude requires maximum confidence and trust.
In order to commence this business, we solicit your assistance to enable us transfer into your account the said trapped fund, the source of this fund is as follows: during the last government administration of GENERAL OLUSEGUN OBASANJO in Nigeria, the officials of that government set up companies and awarded themselves and their cohorts contracts which were grossly over invoiced in various ministries. As part of its inaugural policy,the present civilian government of UMARU MUSA YARADUA set up a Contract Review Panel, a panel in which we are members. In the course of our investigation we identified over-invoiced contract fund US$69.5 Million which are presently floating in the Central Bank of Nigeria ready for payment to any contractor with formal Bonafide claim.
However, by virtue of our position as civil servants, we are not permitted by law to operate foreign account. This is  why we are asking for your assistance to provide the necessary documents to facilitate the transfer of this fund into any account you will nominate of course. You shall be adequately compensated, 30% shall be yours while my colleagues and I shall have 65%, the remaining 5% shall be for the reimbursement of any expenses that will be incurred in this transaction.
This transaction is expected to be concluded within (10)bank working days on the receipt of your bank particulars, your bank name and address, account number, name of beneficiary, telephone and fax numbers of the bank, your company name and address, telephone, fax numbers. When we receive the above information from you, we shall apply and obtain the necessary payment approvals from the relevant authorities including the Federal Ministry of Finance(F.M.F) which shall allocate you or your company foreign exchange cover for US$69.5million you or your company shall be officially regarded as the beneficiary of the funds.
When the money is transferred to your account, open confirmation from you that the fund has been credited unto your nominated Bank Account, my  colleagues and I will come over to your country for the sharing of the fund to commence our Importation business.
Lets trust that absolute confidentiality be our watchword  throughout this business transaction. Your line of business does not matter. However, your prompt reply will enable us to expedite action by forwarding the information (your bank particulars) to the authorities concerned for immediate processing of the  document/remittance.
Thanks and best regards.
Dr.Ben Bendle

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