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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: "Mr. Simon Yi" <info@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: mr.yisimonprivacy@asia.com
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:15:05 -0500
Subject: Please Read Carefully.




Dear friend,
Thanks so much for your timely responses to my previous email, I will
start by introducing myself to you before going further to explain in
details about this business proposal.

My names are Simon Yi. I am the Chief Risk Officer of Industrial
Commercial Bank of China in Hong kong and a trained auditor working for
the bank as part of a bigger team that covers the entire region. I have
taken pains to find out your contact.

On a routine audit check last year, I discovered some investment accounts
that have been dormant for at least five years. All the funds in the
accounts belong to a late foreign depositor Aktan Bastaan, with monies
totalling Twenty one Million, Three Hundred Thousand United State Dollars
(US$21,300,000.00) Now, the Hong kong banking regulation and legislation
demands that I do notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time
span of Five years when dormant accounts of this type, are called in by
the China Banking Regulatory Commission bodies.

The above facts are the reason why I am writing and proposing to you. My
investigation of the said account reveals that the investor, died in 1996
which was the exact time the account was last operated on. I can
authoritatively confirm to you with certainty that the said investor, died
inter-state and no next of kin to his estate has been found or has come
forward all these years.

I am greatly convinced that using my insider leverage, and working with
you, the money can be secured in the account for us instead of allowing it
pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of Hong kong.
Now, I am craving for your participation, indulgence and co-operation . I
have with me, all relevant and legal documents that will facilitate our
putting you forward as the only surviving beneficiary of the funds and
ultimately allow you to transfer the money to an account of your own
choice.

Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this
transaction or deal, am prepared and willing to allocate a 40% slice of
the total funds for your efforts subject to negotiation.

I shall leave out all further details of this transaction till I receive a
confirmatory note of participation from you.Be rest assured that I am on
top of this situation all the time and there will be a no risk whatsoever
if you elect to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is
of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of
this transaction. I will give you more information about the late
depositor ASAP.

I look forward to hear from you soon with the above written email address.

Yours truly,
Simon Yi.

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