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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: "Dr.Stephen Annan" <cantons@xtra.co.nz>
Reply-To: dr.stephenannan@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:52:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PRIVATE LETTER






Sir/Madam,                   


 

     Let me start by
introducing myself to you, I am Dr Stephen Annan, Director Foreign Remittance
Department, CITI BANK GHANA,
Accra Head Office. I saw your contact during my private search in the internet
and I want to believe that you will be very honest, committed and capable of
handling this transaction.

 

 

     First, let me
explain the source of this fund and what you are expected to do. A foreigner,
late MR RONALD M. EBELING worked with the Ghanaian GOLD/MINERAL RESOURCES
COMMISSION and had a functional account with CITI BANK until his death some
years ago. The deceased Ronald Ebeling banked with us and had a closing balance
as at 22nd November 2000 worth $8,000,000.00 (Eight Million U.S Dollars)

 

 

     CITI BANK has been
expecting any of his close relatives to make claim on the fund since there was
no record of any beneficiary stated in the depository agreement. Efforts have
been made by the Bank Agents to get in touch with Mr. Ebeling family or
relative but to no avail.

 

 

     Based on the
perceived possibility of not being able to locate his relatives, the management
under the influence of our chairman and the board of directors are making
arrangements for the fund to be declared unclaimed and channeled to an unknown
account. It is based on this fact, I have contacted you to approach the Bank as
the next-of-kin to Late Ronald Ebeling so that the fund will be released and
paid into your account as the beneficiary/next-of-kin to the deceased.

 

 

     All documents
relating to this fund still remains valid and the bank will proceed with the
transfer as soon as we receive your response. I look forward to your mail

 

 Regards

Dr Stephen Annan

Contact e-mail: dr.stephenannan@gmail.com

 

Anti-fraud resources: