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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Tan Wong <mrtanwng1@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:54:12 -0800
Subject: From Tan Wong (More Details About This Transaction)

Dear Friend,

Thank you very much for your response and your interest in this
transaction.Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Major Fadi Basem who was
with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit
for 18 calendar months, with a value of Twenty Four millions Five Hundred
Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch. Upon maturity several
notice was sent to him, even during the war . Again after the war another
notification was sent and still no response came from him.We later found out
that the Major and his family had been killed during the war in bomb blast
that hit their home. After further investigation it was also discovered that
Major Fadi Basem did not declare any next of kin in his official papers
including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the
last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in
my bank. So, Twenty Four millions Five Hundred Thousand United State
Dollar($24,500,000,00) is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come
forward to claim it. What bothers me most is that according to the laws of
my country at the expiration of 9 years the funds will revert to the
ownership of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.
Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Major Fadi Basem so that you will
be able to receive his funds for both of us.

Like I said before,due to this issue on my hands now,it became necessary for
me to seek your assistance, I appreciate the fact that you are ready to
assist me in executing this project.i intend to resign immediately this
project is concluded and invest my part of the money in a lucrative
business.I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that
we shall come out successful. I will contact my attorney to prepare the
necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Major Fadi
Basem , all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me
with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his
job.You should not have anything to worry about, I will do everything
legally required with the help of my attorney to ensure that the project
goes smoothly and After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney
will also file in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary
approval and letter of probate in your favour for the move of the funds to
an account that will be provided by you and i will also make sure it passes
through all Laws of International Banking.There is no risk involved at all
in the matter as we are going to adopt a legalized method and the attorney
will prepare all the necessary documents, you have my wordHaving resolved to
entrust this transaction into your hands, I want to remind you that, it
needs your commitment and diligent follow up.If you work seriously,the
entire transaction should be over in a couple of days

*READ THE FOLLOWING AND GET BACK TO ME:*

Firstly, I will want to know precisely the type of occupation that you do
and how old you are, you should note that this project is capital intensive,
this is why I have to be very careful, I need your total devotion and trust
to see this through. I know we have not met before,but I am very confident
that we will be able to establish the necessary trust that we need to
execute this project.I am now in contact with a foreign online bank, I now
intend that you open an account in your name in this foreign bank.The money
would be transfered to your account which you will open in this bank for
both of us, this is the best way I have found,it will protect us from my
bank. I want us to enjoy this money in peace when we conclude. So you should
adhere to my instructions and follow them carefully for a successful
conclusion of the transfer. Also You have to know that I cannot transfer
this money in my name as my bank will be aware that it is from me, this is
where I need you. As a result of this,you will have to open an account in
your name in this corresponding bank.

I will obtain a certificate of deposit from this my bank,this will make you
the bonafide owner of the funds.Immediately the funds is transferred and
banked in the nominated bank account in your name, we shall share in the
ratio of 65% for me, 30% for you and 5% will be used to settle any expenses
immediately the project is concluded incurred by any party in the process of
the transfer. We can then instruct the bank to transfer our various shares
into our respective home bank accounts. I will also perfect the
documentations with the assistance of my attorney to give the transaction
the legal right it requires.

Before I commence,I will need you to scan and send me a copy of any form of
your identification (Driver's licence,Work ID or International passport). I
want to be sure that I am transacting with the correct person. As soon as I
get these from you,I will commence the paper work with the help of my
attorney.

I hope you will understand why I need all these, the money in question is
big and I want to be sure that I know you well before I proceed to give you
all the details to commence the project, I will send you my Work
Identification for you to know who you are working with too.I will send you
the name and contact details of the bank to you immediately i receive your
identification so that you can commence communication with them.Ensure that
you keep this project confidential, do not discuss it with anybody because
of the confidential nature of this transaction and my job.
Please reply soonest.

Regards,

Mr.Tan Wong.

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