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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: Mr Usman Bello <mr.usman_bello00016@msn.com>
Reply-To: mr.usman2012@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:33:07 +0000
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL/URGENT

Mr Usman Bello
Accounts Manager
BOA- Burkina Faso
Attention:

I am Mr Usman Bello. from Burkina Faso . With trust for accountability, I decided to confide to you a deal that will uplift our financial capacity hence you will not betray the trust and confidence that I bestowed on you.

In 2001, I assisted the former director of Food & Drug Administration (Late Mr. Zheng Xiaoyu) to set up a hidden non-domiciliary account with our bank worth Fifteen Million United States Dollars ($15m).
He secretly and successfully operated this account till 2005 before the government of China executed him. Have it in mind that no body is aware that the deceased deposited such amount with our bank.

But I am concerned to ensure you apply and take position of the account as deceased next of kin immediately to avoid our bank directors to succeed on their plans to siphon the money for their private use, and they can succeed if no body applies immediately.
Meanwhile, the board of directors' convened meeting last week where I was told as the account manager to contact the beneficiary in order to activate or reclaim his account within 1-month interval before their next sitting, otherwise they agreed to transfer the fund into bank treasury as abandoned fund. In fact such step will give them the absolute chance and power to succeed on their plans.

I made them to know that the account beneficiary is dead and I promised to contact the deceased next of kin in order to take control of the account henceforth. Therefore I seek your interest so we can make two man deals and share the fund. In this case, all you need to do is to apply as his next of kin so that our bank will replace your name as current beneficiary of the account immediately.

As we finally concluded this deal, I will honourably resign and get over to your country where I will reward you with 30% of the fund. As a result of this, you will link me to a lucrative business adventure in your country where I have to invest my share. Please you should hold this transaction as SECRET as anything to avoid failure.
To indicate your readiness to assist, contact me with your complete detailed information so that I can direct you on the next thing to do.
I expect your urgent response.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Usman Bello

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