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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: MARIA CRISTINA GAMBOA <mariagb14@peoplepc.com>
Reply-To: MARIA CRISTINA GAMBOA <mariadepartmentgamboa@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:28:04 +0000 (GMT+00:00)
Subject: PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL

Let me start by introducing myself, I am MRS. MARIA CRISTINA GAMBOA,
REGIONAL AUDITOR OFFICER BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK. I am writing you this
letter based on the latest development at my bank, which I will like
to bring to your personal edification. I am a top official in charge of client
accounts in (EQUITABLE PCI BANK) which is now BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL
BANK inside the Philippines the merger was (2007) The merger is part of a
long-term goal of Banco de Oro to become one of the largest names in
the Philippine banking industry. I am writing you this letter with so much joy
and excitement even though my heart goes out to the very powerful and
distinguished gentleman who I was fortunate to have worked for and extremely
privileged to have known for numerous years.

In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United States of
America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his
vicious and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming predicament,
my client came to me with a very brilliant idea. He transferred some funds, ten
million two hundred thousand dollars ($10.2m) to a fixed deposit account
in my bank under an alias which only the two of us knew about as the
confidentiality of the matter was necessary for his protection.

Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting in the
account ever since and will continue to do so perpetually unless we do
something about it. This is where you come in. I located you through an
agency that helps seek people by their email. My client did not declare any
next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank
deposit. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I would like
you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to our client so that you
will be able to receive his funds. I want you to know that I have had
everything planned out so that we can come out successful. I have contacted
an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up
as the next of kin to my client. All that is required from you at this stage
is for you to provide me with your Full Names and Address and telephone
number so that the attorney can commence his job.

The allocation of our money will be as follows: 30%($3.06m) to you for your
part in this, 70% for me. Again, I will be in charge of everything else. I
will assume all responsibilities for this endeavor so you don't have to
worry about any legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that
money. Before I commence, I will need you to send me your full names,
contact address and telephone number. In receipt to my mail i will commence
the paper work with my attorney. I hope you will understand why I need all
these. The money in question is big and I want to ensure that I know you
well before I proceed to give you all the details to commence the project.
Ensure that you keep this project confidential; do not discuss it with
anybody, because of the confidential nature of this transaction and my work.
Attached to this email is my passpor Please reply soonest.
My warmest regard
Yours truly, Partner/Sister
Mrs. Maria Cristina Gamboa

________________________________________
PeoplePC Online
A better way to Internet
http://www.peoplepc.com

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