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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: "John Scott" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barrjohnscott@w.cn>
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 19:34:32 +0200
Subject: Work With Me

Mr.Charles Chin Chi
Bankok Bank Plc Taiwan
Branch Manager
Northern Region Branch
Manager Office
Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Email:Charleschinchi@hotmail.com
 
I am Mr.Charles Chin Chi.I work with Bankok Bank Plc Taipei as Manager,Northern Region Branch.I have business deal to share with you. A Middle East Business man Mr.Thabit Alwan made a deposit of Eighteen million Five Hundred Thousand United State dollars with my bank for the past four years and he did not come forward to claim or withdraw his deposit that was strange to me.As the Branch Manager, I ordered notification to be sent to his address but got no reply until we got information that Mr.Thabit Alwan was among those that were killed by missile at Baghdad Al-Tarmia Al mishada village in April 2003.The fund is in my bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year, I have been expecting his close relative to come for his money as the heir but nobody has come and I don't want this fund to be send to Taiwan reserve treasury.
 
Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that everything will be well at the end of this transaction.I have decided to contact you due to the urgency of this transaction.I got your email address while searching for trustworthy individual.that will assist me in this regard
 
Hence I want to front you as the beneficiary of the fund of late Mr.Thabit Alwan and we shall share (in the ratio of 60/40). I have contacted a Taiwan base lawyer that will prepare the legal papers that will back you up as the beneficiary to Mr.Thabit Alwan. If you are interested get back to me with your Full Names,phone/fax and your contact address so that the Taiwan base lawyer can commence his job.I will use my position to influence the move of the funds after you have been made the beneficiary owner of the fund. The lawyer will file 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.
 
There is no risk involved at all in this matter, as we are going to adopt a legalized method and the lawyer will prepare all the necessary documents. Please endeavour to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.Upon the successful completion of this transaction I shall come to your country and I will like us to invest together.
I prefer you to reach me with the below email address:
Charleschinchi@hotmail.com
 
 
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated
 
Best Regard
Mr Charles Chin Chi
 

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