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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: "Frank Michael" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <frankmz_frankap2@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:16:33 -0700
Subject: REPLY ASAP

My Dear ,

With due respect, I am Frank Michael, I am Currently Head of Corporate Affairs Department with our bank African Development Bank Benin Republic West Africa. I was the account Officer to Jan Oil & Gold Merchants,


I write you this proposal in good faith, with strong belief that I can trust you with the information I am about to reveal to you because I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.

On 1 August 2003 being our Independent day, our customer, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Quidah-Parakou expressway and all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.



I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by our deceased customer before they get confiscated or declared not serviceable by our bank where the deceased had an account valued at FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY, and I happened to be his account officer before I was moved to my present position.

As the Account Officer to the deceased, coupled with my present position and status in the bank, I have some vital information that can help for the release of the funds to you with the correct information concerning his account, which I will provide. I have the secret Code for the account, which only the account owner can know.


All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.


I will need the following information from you,

Your Complete Names
Address
Age
Occupation
You’re private Telephone-Mobile Number for easy Communication Purpose.


Yours sincerely,

Frank Michael.
+229-66345272
E-mail: frankmz_frankap2@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources: