joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Mr. Michael Scicluna" <scicluna@videobank.it>
Reply-To: mr.scicluna@videobank.it
Date: Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:04:34 +0100
Subject: CAN YOU BE TRUSTED?



Dear Friend,

I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to starting a
relationship but I believe knowing each other starts from a step of which I
believe I am not making a mistake exposing this very important
business deal to
you?

Firstly, let me identify myself without any intention of equivocation, I am
Mr.Michael Scicluna, Financial Expert worked with Banks here in United
Kingdom,
I will be happy if we can do business together in good faith and this proposal
will be of mutual benefit for us. I have a transaction deal in the tune of
$35,500,000.00 {Thirty Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars} to be
transferred to any possible safe account with your good assistance. I
have every
possibility & advantages for the proceeds of this fund to be paid to your
account.

I had discussed this issue privately with the Top Bank Director and he
agreed to
help and have instructed me to look for a foreigner who can be trusted and
capable to handle this transaction so that we can secretly move this money out
from UK immediately basing on Investments plans in your Country. I guarantee
that this will be executed under a concrete special arrangement that will
protect us from any breach of law. I will not fail to bring to your
notice that
this transaction is hitch-free and you should not entertain any fears as the
required arrangements have been made for the completion of this operation.

Your assistance as a foreigner is necessary because the management of the bank
will welcome any foreigner who has correct information to this account which I
will give to you immediately, We will start the transfer. I am only contacting
you as a foreigner because this money cannot be approved to a local
person here
due to law in United Kingdom.

This money was secretly deposited and placed for an Investment before the late
holder died and none of his families or relatives knows about this
money, I came
across this great fortune during an annual pre-audition. If you can be trusted
and capable to handle this business with me in full confidence & trust, please
send me the following information for documentation preparation and
also give me
your word of confidence that we will work as one team and I will get in return
what belongs to me after successful transmission this operation :

At the conclusion of this transaction, your total share will be 35% of
the total
transfer sum,while 65% for me and my partners who is helping in making this
successful.

If you are interested, please forward the following information as below:

(1). Private phone numbers: .....
(2). Current residential address:.....
(3). Occupation: ......
(4). Age and Sex: ......

(5). Your Full Banking Coordinates as follows.
Bank Name: ......
Bank Address:......
Account No:......
Account Holder's Name:.....
Routing Number/Swift Code If Any....


I look forward hearing from you.

Kind Regards,
Michael Scicluna
Director Auditing Department

Anti-fraud resources: