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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: "l" <personal.barrett@centrum.cz>
Date: Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:15:08 +0200
Subject: Please kindly find attached and act accordingly, Thank you.

Re: Investment information required

Dear Sir,
I am planning to secure GBP£11.5M in your country through investment and I would like to have some information on available profitable investment area.

This business originated from the just concluded FIFA Football world-cup which involves the Finance Minister, the Accountant General and the Project management / Contract Award Committee Chairman. These top Government officials over budgeted money which the government want to use to pay a particular foreign contractors who executed contract with the Government in building one of the Stadium used for the just concluded 2010 FIFA World Cup.

I will appreciate it if you can be a partner or share information of a reputable company or individual to handle this business opportunity on behalf of my principals as It was also resolved that the funds will be with you for a period of Three years, (3yrs) which is the period all the concerned in this transaction will be due for retirement and you are to invest the £11.5Million pounds into a profitable business venture in your country after a memorandum of understanding has been prepared and signed by both parties.

This is a confidential business proposal, please treat accordingly.

Yours Faithfully, Matthew Barrett
Reply email: office.matthewbarrett@centrum.cz
The Credit Control Department
Barclays Bank plc
1 Churchill Place, E14 5HP
London UK

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