joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Bakur Coulibaly" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bakurco3@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:25:23 +0100
Subject: URGENT INQUIRY

Dear,

I am sorry if my mail offends you,I believe we can explore this life time opportunity for our mutual benefit. I am Mr. Bakur Coulibaly, I work renowed bank in Cote d'Ivoire.

I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On November 6, 2000, a consultant/contractor Mr. Collin Brunner working with a Petroleum Corporation made a (Fixed deposit) for 36 calendar months, valued at USD3, 500,000.00 (Three Million Five hundred Thousand Dollars only) in my bank and I happen to be his account officer before I was moved to my present position recently.

Upon maturity in 2003, as his account officer and as well the bank anger, it is my duty to notify him on the maturity date so I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but the letter was returned undelivered.

After sometime, I tried sending back the letter, but it was again returned and finally I discovered from his contract employers, a Petroleum Corporation that Mr. Collin Brunner died as a result of chronic respiratory disorders and was the reason why he did not declare any next of kin or relation in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank and did not leave any WILL.

This sum of USD3, 500,000.00 has been floating and placed under dormant/serviceable account by my bank management since no one have heard from the owner since 2003. I wish to let you know that so far my bank management is not aware of all the investigation I have made. I am the only one that has the information.

With the upcoming change of government in my country and with their efforts to support the United Nations in checkmating terrorism in Africa at the end of this year, the incoming government will pass a new financial control law which will give the government authority to interrogate account owners of above USD3, 500,000.00 to explain the source of the funds, making sure it is not for terrorism support.

If I do not move this money out of the country immediately, by end of the year the government will definitely confiscate the money, because my bank cannot provide the account owner to explain the source of the money.

I cannot directly transfer out this money without the help of a foreigner and that is why I am contacting you for assistance. As the Account Officer to late Mr. Collin Brunner, coupled with my present position and status in the bank, I have the power to influence the release of the funds to any foreigner that comes up as the next of kin to the account, with the correct information concerning the account, which I shall give you.

All documents to enable you claim this fund will be carefully worked out and there is practically no risk involved, the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

If you accept to work with me, I want you to state how you wish us to share the funds in percentage, so that both parties will be satisfied. If you are interested, please send me your contact details and we will start immediately.


Regards,
Bakur Coulibaly.


Anti-fraud resources: