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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: "Rev.John Okolie" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <revjohnokolie12@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 08:18:18 -0700
Subject: READ AND GET BACK TO ME ASAP!

FROM THE DESK OF REV.JOHN OKOLIE.
TELEX WIRE DEPT,CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA,
LAGOS,NIGERIA.


Attention: Beneficiary,


After waiting to hear from you or your Nigeria partners for a long time
now, I decided to make this direct approach to you in other not to let
it be as if I have anything in mind against you. I do not know if you
have asked yourself why each time the release of these fund is approved
all of a sudden the payment will be stopped or one problem or other
will come up. If you have not asked this question or you do not know,
this is an opportunity for me to tell you.


Some time ago, your Nigeria friend I mean the people that introduced
you to the project approached me through my dear Wife who works with the
Federal Ministry of Finance and requested me to assist them conclude a
money transfer deal they had with you, they requested me to assist them
by removing the Original Contractor’s name,Company name and Bank
particulars from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) vetting computer and
replacing them with your name and your bank details in order to make you
appear as the rightful Beneficiary of this funds.


I agreed on condition that they will pay me $100,000 as soon as your
name appears as the beneficiary.I did as agreed and demanded to be paid
but your friends started telling me stories. They even told me that you
promise to send money to me. Do you know that up till now,I have not
set my eyes on any of them; Based on their attitude,I decided to stop the
funds release movement because I cannot be denied of my right in my own office
considering the risk as it might affect my job.



Secondly,I know the source of the funds and you did not execute any
contract in Nigeria, although I am the only person privileged to know this
information and it is a fact.Why I am making this clear to you is that
I can see that you are still making efforts spending money in order to
conclude this project.


Now I am ready to forget the past, I do not need the $100,000 any
longer from you but a share of 25% of the total sum. I need your assurance
that those your colleagues will be totally keep out of this transaction,I know
that none of them is aware of this transaction after trying their best to
conclude it without my consent.


Finally,I need your promise that no official of the Central Bank of
Nigeria will be aware of my involvement in this regard.Now re-assure me
that you will be willing to offer me the 25% of the fund, that you will
assist my wife and personal assistance to establish a foreign account in
your country where my share will be lodged.


If you are ready to conclude this business with me I await your prompt
response immediately


Yours In Service,
Rev.John Okolie
DIRECTOR TELEX DEPT. ( C.B.N )

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