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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Ebenezer Adrah" <Dr.Ebenezer.Adrah@foreignexchangedept.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 01:53:27 +0100
Subject: RECEIVE, INVEST AND MANAGE LARGE SUMS SUCCESSFULLY TO PROFITABILITY.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT,
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK LTD GHANA.
TEL: +233-268-875-854/FAX: +233-240-815-923
EMAIL: Dr.Ebenezer.Adrah@foreignexchangedept.com<http://service.mail.com/callgate-6.55.2.0/rms/6.55.2.0/mail/getBody?folderIdmessageId=NDI5OLEnFGxkb45WZm5uj%2Fd2amd3Lts3&purpose splay&bodyType=html#>
dr.ebenezer.adrah@myself.com<http://service.mail.com/callgate-6.55.2.0/rms/6.55.2.0/mail/getBody?folderIdmessageId=NDI5OLEnFGxkb45WZm5uj%2Fd2amd3Lts3&purpose splay&bodyType=html#>

Sir,

There is a genuine need for the investment of a substantial amount in a
secure and stable economy around the world. The investment aims at tourism
and real estate primarily, but will strongly consider any other business
area or offer that can guarantee outstanding fiscal yields.

I am writing to solicit your assistance in the transfer of US$3,850,000.00
for investment purpose. This fund is the excess of what the Bank where i am
In-Charge made as profit during the last year's audition. I have already
submitted an approved end of the year report for the year 2011 to the Head
of Foreign Exchange Department and they will never know of this excess. I
have since then placed this amount of US$3,850.000.00 in an Escrow
Non-Investment Account without a beneficiary. As an officer of the bank, I
cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am impelled to request
for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account. All I
need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund. This is a
very straightforward business transaction without any hitches at all. I
want to use the money to secure the future of my family as I am due for
retirement in a few years time. I presume the sharing percentage will not
be a problem for us.

I cleave on your indulgence to reassure you that this transaction is 100%
risk free and will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will
immune you and me from any breach of law both here and in your country
until this fund are finally transferred into any of your nominated bank
account. Let your reaction reach me via Telephone or my official or private
Email Id soonest, if you have the potentials to receive, invest, and manage
large sums successfully to profitability.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Ebenezer Adrah
I.C.B. LTD KUMASI BRANCH GHANA.

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