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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: From George Magashula <investmentproposal@hotmail.co.za>
Reply-To: georgemagashulao@gala.net
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 2010 02:32:46 -0800 (PST)
Subject: TOP SECRET PROPOSAL: VALUE USD$20 MILLION


Public Works House
Corner Church & Bosman
Pretoria Central
South Africa,
Email: georgemagashulao@gala.net
Tel: + 27- 73-3304-973
 Fax: + 27- 86 574-27-77
 
Attn: Sir / Madam
                                            
                              TOP SECRET PROPOSAL: VALUE USD$20 MILLION
 
My name is Mr. George  Magashulao african contract reviews Commission of the Republic Of South Africa. I was directed by our Chairman to look for a next of kin. The national contract general review of all Federal Unpaid contracts from the Apartheid Era and at the same time authenticates the genuine ones. The decree that established this commission gave birth to the contract Remittance department of the Reserve Bank of South Africa, which works in conjunction with the contract review commission. This means that any genuine contract payment reviewed and authenticated by this commission would be automated by the Contract Remittance Department. It happened that we had a contractor by the name Mr. Boris Wilberink a Dutch man who was awarded a contract by the South African Government for this 2010 (World Cup).
 
He has completed his contract on 3rd of March 2010 and was given a payment approval Order on 6th of May 2010. But Mr. Boris Wilberink did not live to claim the ($20  Million USD). As we learnt that He died on a plane crash with his family in Tripoli – Libya on the 12th of May 2010. http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Plane-flying-from-SA-crashes-in-Libya-20100512
 
And the flight left from here in Johannesburg - South Africa to Libya, now we are trying to locate his next of kin who would be the beneficiary of the contract money as contained in his contract file. But to our greatest surprise, we learnt that the next of kin was with him in the same flight that crashed in Tripoli – Libya. He was also dead. I and top members of this Commission decided to contact you to act as the beneficiary of the fund and provide an account where we will transfer the fund with the intension of sharing it among us since Mr. Boris Wilberink and the next of kin are not alive to claim the money. And if not cleared it will be returned to the government treasury account.
 
As the top officials of this commission, be rest assured that there is no course for alarm, as we would use your name to transcribe the details of the late Mr. Boris Wilberink without any problem. This transaction is 100% risk free. On the confirmation of your interest and readiness to assist us in this transaction I will give you more detailed information and the laid down procedure for a hitch-free transfer, which I am sure you would be satisfied with. When confirming receipt of this message, do not forget to include your personal/direct telephone and fax numbers for personalized communication.
 
However we have mapped out 30% of the ($20  Million USD) for you as a commission for your assistance. While the remaining 70% is meant for the officials and I involve.  This money cannot be approved to a local bank account holder, but can only be approved to a foreigner that is why I have come to seek your assistance. Please if after reading my proposal and you are not interested in my offer, please!!! Do not disclose this offer to anybody. This is because we are top and influence officials and do not want our image to be dented, keep it TOP SECRET anticipating your urgent response.
 
Best Regards
 
Mr. George    Magashula
Please contact me via my private Email:georgemagashulao@gala.net


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