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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: "Maxwell Udoka" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <maxwell20x@rediffmail.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:02:20 +0100
Subject: FROM CHIEF EGO/TREAT AS URGENT

From: The Legal Adviser
Legal Department
Union Bank of Nigeria Plc
36, Marina St., Lagos
Nigeria



Dear Sir,

INVESTMENT FOLLOW-UP

Prior to the available business transactions in our Treasury and Investments Department, it was rife to let you know that the proposal as put forward to you herewith, is a real life investment solely meant to better the lives of many people involved in the transaction.

As was explained to you, this money meant for this investment was an over invoiced/excesses accrued from the normal usual banking transaction in the Treasury and Investments Department. Follow-up to this development, the sum of Eight Hundred Billion United States Dollars {USD$800,000,000,000.00} was involved in the transaction that transpired from this Department under the terms of reference in review out of which an outstanding sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars {USD$750,000,000.00} only will be transferred into your account for the investment purpose only and you are bound to be prudent and judicious.

For the proper transfer of this money into your account, the following documents shall be obtained in your favor:

1.) A sworn affidavit from the court of law
2.) A change of ownership
3.) An NDLEA/NTREA Certificates and
4.) Terrorism certificate

Once these documents are obtained, the transfer will be effected into your account.

Ordinarily, we would have done the transfer on our own but because of some of the incapacitated impediments and the insecurity thereto, it however became pertinent to contacting a foreign counterpart that could be a benefactor and ensure a smooth transfer into his/her account.

For the smooth transfer, the following are urgently needed from you vise:

1.) Your full name and residential address
2.) Your telephone/fax numbers
3.} Your Date of Birth and Country of Origin
4.} Your Occupation/Profession/Position
5.} Scanned data page of your International Passport or Driving License for identification purposes only

We equally hope that you will live up to expectation in the discharge of your civic responsibilities. We count you worthy.

Regards.

CHIEF MAXWELL UDOKA,
SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA.

NB:
when responding to this email, always click on the reply botton on your email address.

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