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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: "Mr. ZHUO Chengwen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ZHUO.Chengwen@gmx.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:59:57 -0700
Subject: Greetings

Greetings,

It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not know me, Please forgive this unusual manner to contact you, but this particular letter is of exceptional and very private nature, as by virtue of my vantage position in Bank of China Hong Kong I have a lucrative business proposal of mutual interest to share with you. It is my duty to write and reach out to you, TRUSTING that you will give this proposal positive consideration. I got your contact through my search in the internet of your country housing registration chamber and please, keep this proposal to yourself alone.
I am Mr. ZHUO Chengwen, 40 years old with three children. I am the General Manager in the Financial Management Department of BOC responsible for various financial management functions of the BOC Group, including financial planning, accounting policy, financial compliance, management reporting and financial disclosure. I have also assumed a financial management role for over 10 years with BOC Group in Beijing and New York and has extensive knowledge and experience in financial management.
I need you to assist me in executing a business project from our bank worth US$30.5 million only. These funds were deposited with our bank by a customer who is a national {citizen} of your country, who unfortunately died in December 26, 2004 in Asia Tsunami disaster. For more on this natural disaster click on these links:-

http://www.globalsecurity.org/eye/andaman-us.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4530000/newsid_4537600/4537601.stm

I shall furnish you with more information about this operation when I receive your responds. I am counting on your anticipated co-operation for a successful and hitch free business transaction between us, which will be mutually beneficial to both of us, for a start oblige me these information below:- 1. Your Full name{s}, 2. Current contact address, 3. Your present Occupation, 4. Contact phone numbers {Office and Mobile {cell}, 5. Your age, 6. A copy of your International Passport OR Drivers License.
Please if you are not interested, delete this email and do not hurt me because I am putting my career and the life of my family at stake with this venture.
Your earliest response will be highly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Mr. ZHUO Chengwen (Chief Financial Officer of the Group).
Email: - ZHUO.Chengwen@gmx.com
PS:-PLEASE SEND YOUR REPLY STRICTLY TO MY E-MAIL ADDRESS:- ZHUO.Chengwen@gmx.com

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