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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: "Paul A. Ikemba" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2010 06:33:36 -0800
Subject: REPLY ASAP.

To: The CEO,

Actually, this correspondence is purely private, and it should be treated as such. I am contacting you based on Trust and confidentiality that will be attached to this
deal for the benefit of both of us. I am Paul A. Ikemba a representative of Prudential Insurance Agabadi Branch Tema Ghana. The Management and the Legal/ Treasury
Department of this company in a recent meeting, recommended that the Insurance Contract of Late Mr. Robert Finkelstein, who maintained a Life Insurance Policy, should
be declared Dormant and confiscated hence moving his unclaimed estate to the Treasury.

This man was our client and has a Life Insurance Policy WORTH the sum of Twelve Million Three Hundred Thousand USD (US$12,300,000.00). Right now, the fund is lying
unclaimed as there is NO next of kin mentioned in his file and there is NO HOW we can reach any of his other relatives. All efforts made by us to establish contacts
with any other of his relation has proved abortive and unsuccessful. Please include your telephone/fax number/ Home Address when replying this e-mail and I will give
you more information as soon as you indicate your willingness to assist in this viable transaction. Please provide the following:

Full Name:
Full Address:
Home and Direct Cell Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
Company Name:
Company Address:
Position:
Occupation:
Sex:
Marriage Status:
Age:
Next of Kin:
Other Email:
Any of your valid identification either national ID Card or International Passport:

I will let you have the details, but in summary, the fund would be paid to you through a Finance Company where it is presently deposited as soon as the filing and
documentation process is concluded in your name. This is a legitimate transaction without government interference and you shall be compensated with 20% of the total
sum, should you and your company agrees to work with us. The transaction will be done successfully and smoothly completed via email and telephone. I PROMISE that you
must be happy and shall rejoice greatly soonest for cooperation with me in this transaction. I await your good response today.

Kind Regards,
Paul A. Ikemba

Anti-fraud resources: