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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: Hassan Talaat <talaath@live.fr>
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:22:54 GMT
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT COOPERATION PLEASE.

MR. HASSAN TALAAT.
BANQUE AGRICOLE ET COMMERCIALE DU BURKINA,
OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO.
Dear Sir/Madam.
 
First, I must apologize to you for using this medium to communicate to you about this proposal. I am Mr. Hassan TALAAT, Manager Banque Commerciale Et Agricole Du Burkina, Ouagadougou Burkina Faso. I have an investment programmed for you.
 
A foreign mining consultant/contractor with the Burkina Faso Mining Corporation, Mr. Roger Beck made a huge numbered time (Fixed) deposit for twelve calendar months, in my branch but died from an automobile accident without making a WILL and did not even declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents including his bank deposit paperwork in my bank. No one will ever come forward to claim it. According to Burkina Faso Law, at the expiration of 7 (Seven) banking years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Burkina Faso government if nobody applies to claim the fund.
 
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr. Roger Beck so that the fruits of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials. The money will be shared in the ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you.
Please observe 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 own share in your country.
 
Get back to me if you are interested for more details of this transaction. I await your urgent reply.
 
Thanks and regards.
 
Mr. Hassan TALAAT.

Anti-fraud resources: