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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: "Jmaes O.Ibori" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <james_ibo007@live.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:11:59 -0700
Subject: Can You Help Me?

Dear Friend, 
Greetings" 
I am Dr. James Onanefe Ibori, the former governor of oil-rich Delta state.
We have not met before I got your contact while browsing searching for a reliable organization or individual that I could trust with this transaction and I felt I should trust you. It is no news telling you about my history. I have been going through untold hardship since the Jonathan Government came into power. I have lost so much including some fixed assets I acquired while in office. Evidently, the pages of all dailies, which you can equally get from the internet, will tell better my story. Even now, our homes are under surveillance, worst of all, the Government has restored to consficating everything that has to do with my wife and me. To the extent, my wife is currently serving five years jail term in London, the United Kingdom for money laundry charges.
See details link bellow: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8680569.stm
Before the escalation of the situation, I ran among other business of my own, Oil servicing company and Bureau de change, which was flourishing with every Government support.  From the Oil Business and the Bureau de change business, which has now been clamped down by Nigeria Government, I was able to save USD$12M and €16Million in cash. I tried to safeguard it in a Bank here in Nigeria but could not. Through the help of a close friend who works in a FINANCE company, I delivered the USD$12M and €16Million and moved it out of Nigeria under the label of photographic materials to a Finance Company Abroad. For security reasons wouldn't mention the name of the country until I hear from you. In view of my condition here in Dubai where I am presently seeking Asylum and the high interest rate the finance company charges, the money could not be safe there.
I would therefore need your honest assistance to move this fund from the Finance Company to your nominated bank account as my business partner. Once the money is safeguarded in your account, I would require your directives to enable me invest same in any viable business venture. If you accept this offer, of assistance you are requested to contact me back immediately for further details, if not kindly delete this mail from your mail box.
As soon as I receives your acceptance notice, I will furnish you with the details which includes; lodging code and clearance permit to enable you clear and receive the money from the Finance Company. Note that, you will be accorded with 30% of the total sum for your assistance. I promise you will never regret for your assistance. Finally, you are requested to indicate your telephone and fax numbers to me for easier communication. While thanking you for your anticipated co-operation, I look forward to your through my personal email address:james_ibo007@yahoo.com
urgent repose.
Best regards,
Dr. James O. Ibori
 

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