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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: martins ige <m_ige2004@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2010 01:57:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Hello


Attn: Beneficiary,
 
It is my humble pleasure to write this letter irrespective of the fact that we've not met. First, let me start by introducing myself properly to you. I am Mr. Martins Ige, Manager, Bill and Exchange of the Foreign Remittance Department, Eko International Bank Plc. I am writing you this letter to ask for your support and co-operation to carry out a transaction. We discovered an abandoned Sum of US$24Million ( Twenty four Million U.S Dollars ) in an account that belonged to one of our foreign customer who died in November 2003 in a plane crash in Lagos, Nigeria.
Since this development, we have made fervent effort advertising for his next of kin or any close relation to come forward to claim this money, but nobody came to apply for the money. The management under the influence of our chairman and board of directors, are making arrangement for the fund to be declared "UN-CLAIMABLE " and then be subsequently transferred to the Federal Government Reserves.
 
In order to avert this development. Myself and some of my Trusted colleagues in the Bank, now seek for your permission to have you stand as the next of kin so that the fund (USD$14M), would be subsequently transferred and paid into your bank account as the beneficiary next of kin. All documents and proves to enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out from my table and I will perfect every documents to be in accordance to the banking laws and guidelines hence you have nothing to worry about for we are assuring you a 100% risk free involvement.
All we required from you is to open a local bank account in your name here in Lagos where the money is to be deposited, before onward transfer to your designated account in your country. We have agreed that 30% of the money will be for you, 10% for expenses incurred while 60% will be for me and my colleagues. If you are going to help me, indicate by replying this letter, putting in your contact address, your direct telephone and fax numbers.
 
I await your immediate reply to enable us start this transaction in earnest. You can reply through this my private e-mail address (m_ige2004@hotmail.com) Once I receive your reply, I will send you the text of application for immediate application of claim. If this proposal finds you will, then kindly furnishing me with your most confidential telephone, fax and email, so I can forward to you the relevant details of this transaction and keep the confidentiality needed in this business.
 
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.
 
Best Regards,
Mr. Martins Ige.
 



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