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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: "ROTIMI RUFUS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rotimi.rufus@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:33:09 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT

ROTIMI RUFUS
HEAD ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
UNITY BANK PLC
NIGERIA
I have an urgent and very confidential business proposal for you. On the 26th of March 2009, a foreigner Mr.Vilhelmina Aalto, the Managing Director of Vilhelmina Aalto Engineering and Oil consultancy firm, with its operational head office,at plot 116Trans Amadi Industrial Layout Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria.It might please you to know that Mr.Vilhelmina has the total sum of fifteen million,four hundred and fifty thousand dollars.( $15,450,000.00) deposited in his personal account he operated with this Bank. For 2 years  the above account has been dormant, i sent an official letter to the company,and recieved a reply that Vilhelmina who is the sole signatory to this account, died of cancer since june 2008.On further investigation i discovered that Vilhelmina was an immigrant from Finland,but lived in the U.S.A.Hence every effort to contact his relations and next of kin proved abortive in all his official documents.Having filed i! n my report to the bank after a pr
I have contacted you in confidence as to enable me guide you on the steps required to stand as a  relative to W.Aalto.And a bank account abroad will facilitate the transfer of this money of the said sum in your favour as the rightful beneficiary, pending my arrival there in your country for sharing and utilization between us as partners.
With my experience as a banker, I have perfected all arrangement on this as to ensure a smooth and hitch free actualization of the transaction, so long as the required confidentiality is maintained on your side as my partner and country the fund will finally be transferred to.
I have resolved that on the final transfer of this fund in your favour there in your Country, the sharing should be thus:-
55% of the sum is for me, which I have to invest there in your country with your assistance as my partner.
40% should be for you as my partner, considering the fact that without you the arrangement will not be actualized.
5% is for pay back of every expenses that we may incur in the process, immediately the total money gets into your account.
This business transaction is guaranteed, so to embark on the process, I will
require from you the following details:-
a) Your Personal Name
b) Your contact Address in full.
c) Your Mobile Telephone Number.
d) Your Telephone/Fax number.
e) Your Age.
f) Your Company Name in full.
Please observe the utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require
your assistance to invest my share in your country.
I await your urgent response, that should be sent to this my confidential e-
mail: (rotimi.rufus@gmail.com ).

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