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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: "Union Bank Nigeria Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <doug_duke50@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2013 20:58:50 +0100
Subject: Can You Be The Next Of Kin?

Union Bank Nigeria Plc
Stallion Plaza, 36 Marina Street
Lagos island Nigeria.
Fax: 234-1-759-1030
Email:dogduke50@yahoo.com.hk
 
I am Mr. Douglas Duke, director in charge of Auditing and Accounting section, Union Bank Nigeria Plc, Nigeria, and also Chairman of Investigation and Audit department of our Bank, with due respect, I have decided to contact you on a Business transaction that will be of mutual benefit to us.
 
During our Investigation and Auditing in this Bank, my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to one deceased Ms. Jeannine Bourdages, 58, a citizen of your country who died along with her entire family on 2nd November 1999 in a plane crash on Egypt Air Flight 990, you can confirm it through the news link below: http://www.sptimes.com/News/110299/Worldandnation/Passenger_list_for_Eg.shtml
 
Although, personally I keep this information secret within myself and partners to enable the whole arrangement and idea be profitable and successful during the time of execution. The said amount is $8.5M (Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), as it may interest you to know I got your Impressive information through a good friend who work with Chamber of Commerce on foreign business relations in United States though I did not disclose the deal to him.
 
Meanwhile as a senior staff in this bank and the director of audit and Account I have in my possession all the necessary documents to perfect the deal by making you the bona fide Next of Kin/Partner and the money will be legally transferred into your bank account.
 
Upon the successful completion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum as gratification, while 70% will be for me and my Colleagues, Please keep it a "Top Secret" as we are still in active service and only intend to retire after we conclude this deal with you, I assure you that this transaction will be concluded within seven Working days and you shall confirm the fund in your account.
 
I will be monitoring the situation from our international transfer department and ensure it is successfully transferred to your account, we shall fly down to your country for subsequent sharing of the funds according to percentages indicated above and further investment in your country or any country or elsewhere based on your advice.
 
Kindly reply with your information through my alternative email addresses below for
Security measures. Thank you as I wait for your urgent response here:dogduke50@yahoo.com.hk.
 
Best Regards,
Mr. Douglas Duke.

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