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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: "Ezeh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.charlesezeh@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:14:07 -0700
Subject: Attn ...........Please,URGENTLY.

From the Desk of Mr Charles Eze.
Director international Remittance
Central Bank of Nigeria.
dr.charlesezeh@yahoo.com
 
Attn ...........Please,URGENTLY.
 
I am very glad I have found you, how is your family today I would like you to listen to what I have to say to you I am Mr Charles Eze, the personal account officer to Engineer EVANS, a national of your country,possibly could be your brother, who used to work with ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS CO. LTD. late Engineer EVANS ,who died along with his entire family on 31 July 2000 in a plane crash.The fund for transfer is of clean origin.You can confirm the genuineness of the deceased death by clicking on this web site. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
 
Unfortunately, Engineer EVANS ,and his family lost their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy here in Nigeria to locate any of Engineer EVANS extended relatives. This has also proved unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by Engineer EVANS before they get it confiscated, frozen or declared it unserviceable by the bank where these
huge deposits were lodged.
 
Particularly, the central bank of Nigeria where the deceased had an account valued at about Twenty Seven Million United States Dollars (US$27,000,000:00). The management has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account frozen within the next ten official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 1 year now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at $27,000,000:00 can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 60% for me and 30% for you and 10% for expenses for both parties.
 
I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. And this I must do to make sure that this fund is not wasted or end up in the wrong hands. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this business through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and i from any breach  of the law.
 
Note that you are to furnish me with the requested information's bellow immediately;
(1)Full names.
(2)Contact address.
(3)Telephone and fax numbers.
(4)Location.
(5)A valid copy of any of your identification.
 
Thanks and regards,
waiting for your urgent response,
Mr Charles Eze.
 
 

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