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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: BEN CHUKWU <ahmedyahaya43@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:15:17 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PLAN

Ezeoma Business Consulting Ltd.
Biz-Consultant & Project Management (RC 76632)
Plot 247, Adeola Hopewell Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PLAN

ATTN:Dear Friend,

I humbly wish to seek your assistance in a matter that is very important and
needs utmost trust and confidence. I am Ben Chukwu, a business consultant
and close confidant of one of Nigeria's most powerful family.

The wife of top human right activist and former Attorney general who served
in the past government in Nigeria wishes to move out of Nigeria the sum of
US$15.7million. She wishes to invest the aforementioned sum in viable
investment oversea.
For obvious reasons, my client does not wish to place this fund with
established financial institution in the family's name for security reason.
It is her desire that the deal is handled as quietly as possible without
possibility of any leakage to the public or Government as they have suffered
a greatloss in the past. She has therefore empowered and instructed me to
look for a reliable foreigner to clear/claim the money from were it is
presently and receive the money in his or her account
oversea, Also assist to invest the fund properly for the family as there
fund manager.

If you agree to clear/claim the money and also act as a fund manager for my
client and her family, I shall arrange to release the sum o US$15.7 Million
to you if you meet my requirement and upon a favourable response from you, i
shall let you know how you will receive it.

Your commission shall be 20% of the total sum. And annual 10% of the after
tax returns on investment for the first five years. Therefore, the terms
shall be varied.If you are capable and willing to participate in this
transaction,kindly reach me as soon as possible You are required to also
send your full names,address, dircet phone and fax number for more efficient
communication. In any case,please keep it a tight secret.

Best regards,
Ben Chukwu.
{Principal Consultant}

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