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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: "JAMES PETER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamespeter.icbbank@barid.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2012 14:56:06 -0700
Subject: PLEASE READ AND REPLY!

DEAR FRIEND
 
My name is Mr. James Peter, a Senior Staff and Regional Branch Manager
here in our Bank at International Commercial Bank Ghana.
 
I got your information during my search on your Country Chambers of
Comers. I am 47 Years of Age and married with five Lovely Kids, It may
Interest you to hear that I am a Man of PEACE.
 
I only hope we can assist each other. I have packaged a financial
Transaction that will benefit both of us, as the Regional Bank
Manager, it is my duty to send in a Financial report to my head Office
in the capital City Accra at the end of each year on the course of
last year 2011 end of year report.
 
I discovered that my Branch in which I am the manager made Three
Million Five Hundred thousand United State Dollars [$3.5million] which
my Head Office are not aware, then I decided to place this fund on
what we call SUSPENSE ACCOUNT without any Beneficiary.
 
As staff of the Bank I can not be directly connected to this money, so
that is why I have to contact you for us to work together so that you
can assist me to receive this money into your bank account.
 
I am willing to give you 40% of the total fund.
Note there are practically no risk involved, it will be bank to bank transfer.
All I need from you is honesty, sincerity and assist me to claim as
the original depositor of this fund, so that my Head office can order
the transfer to your designated bank account.
 
I am going to program your name in the database of the Bank as the
real depositor of the funds for the past 6 years which is 2006 and
that you want to relocate back to your country and therefore you are
requesting to close down the account, and transfer the money back to
your country.
 
If you accept this offer to work with me, I will appreciate it very much.
As soon as I receive your response I will details you on how we can
achieve it successfully.
 
Please for any further communications; get in touch with me through my
alternative email at  (jamespeter.icbbank@barid.com)
 
 
Best Regards,
Mr. James Peter
Regional Branch Manager International Commercial Bank Ghana

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