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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: Peter Cruz <petercruz009@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 15:36:23 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Can you handle it?



Greeting,



This letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it is only a day that people meet and become great friends and business partners. I am Mr. Peter Cruz, currently Head of Corporate affairs with a reputable bank here in my country.



I write you this proposal in good faith, believing that I can trust you with the information I am about to reveal to you. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On November 6, 2005, a Mexico Foreign Oil consultant/contractor with the CHEVRONPETROLEUM CORPORATION, Mr. Guajardo Villareal Camilo Sergio made a (Fixed deposit) for 60 calendar months, valued at $39,786,000.00 USD (Thirty-Nine Million Seven Hundred And Eighty Six Thousand United Staes Dollar Only) in my bank and I happen to be his account officer before I was moved to my present position recently. Upon maturity in 2010, as his account officer, it is my duty to notify him on the maturity date so I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but the letter was returned undelivered.



After sometime, I tried sending back the letter, but it was again returned and finally I discovered from his contract employers, Chevron Petroleum Corporation that Mr. Guajardo Villareal Camilo Sergio died as a result ghastly car accident during one of his trips to his country Mexico. On further investigation, I discovered that Mr. Guajardo Villareal Camilo Sergio family wife and only daughter died during the accident and was the reason why he did not declare any next of kin or relation in all his official documents,including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank and did not leave any WILL. This sum of $39,786,000.00 USD have been floating and placed under dormant/unserviceable account by my bank management since no one have heard from the owner since 2005. I wish to let you know that all the investigation I have made so far, my bank management is not aware of it, I am the only one that have the information.



With the recent change of government/law in my country and with their efforts to support the United Nations in checkmating terrorism aid, government will pass a new financial control law which will give the government authority to interrogate account owners of above $10,000,000.00 to explain the source of the funds, making sure it is not for terrorism support. If I do not move this money out of the country immediately, by end of the year the government will definitely confiscate the money, because my bank cannot provide the account owner to explain the source of the money.



I cannot directly transfer out this money without the help of a foreigner and that is why I am contacting you for assistance. As the Account Officer to late Mr. Guajardo Villareal Camilo Sergio, coupled with my present position and status in the bank as Head of Retail Banking Group, I have the power to influence the release of the funds to any foreigner that comes up as the next of kin to the account, with the correct information concerning the account, which I shall give you. All documents to enable you claim this fund will be carefully worked out and there is practically no risk involved, the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law, beside my country is porous and anything goes.



If you accept to work with me, I want you to state how you wish us to share the funds in percentage, so that both parties will be satisfied. If you are interested, contact me as soon as you receive this message so we can go over the details.



Thanking you in advance and May God bless you.



Please, treat with utmost confidentiality. I shall send you copy of the deposit certificate issued of Mr. Guajardo Villareal Camilo Sergio when the deposit was made for your perusal. I wait your urgent response.





Regards,

Peter Cruz


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