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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: John Kalou <john4kalou@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:51:54 -0700
Subject: Business proposal for your interest

Good day friend,

It's my pleasure to inform you that I'm privileged to have the complete
record of your contract transactions and therefore my wish to ensure that
you receive the payment if only you'll be willing to cooperate with me. I
want us to make everything an open deal, and by this, I mean that I'll do
everything within my powers to ensure that you receive your full payment
within the shortest possible time but you must be prepared to share the
entire fund with me on 50-50 ratio. You may wish to know that in the cause
of the verification of outstanding foreign contract payments by my
committee, I personally discovered that the contract fund against your name
does not actually belong to you. The reason is that the fund in question
actually belongs to another contract firm whose original beneficiary has
been duly and fully paid before you were brought into the picture. From the
available information before me, you've received approval from relevant
governmental agencies in respect of this payment
but for obvious reasons, some abnormalities in your contract file with the
activities of some unscrupulous elements in our system have been hindering
the payment from being affected. Kindly note that I happen to be the only
person that have this privileged information and I'm prepared to use my
good office to influence the release of the funds to you as far as I'll be
guaranteed your full cooperation.

In fact, I have taken a critical look into your file and discovered that
you've been dealing with these crooks and imposters who parade themselves
as Government officials. Be informed today that all these people do not
represent our Government in any capacity, so whatever dealing you have with
them is at your own risk.

Ordinarily, I'm not supposed to do this kind of thing with you considering
my job and reputation that would be at risk but something prompted it and
also because I believe you are competent and experienced enough and with
your own reputation, I also believe you will not do anything funny when the
fund is in your account. I urge you therefore to play your part and leave
the rest for me. As you can see, your commitment in this business deal is
minimal as I'm oblige to do virtually everything and to make sure the deal
is successfully concluded in a record time.

Do kindly furnish me with your full personal contact information for easier
communication, while your urgent response is awaited so I can furnish you
with further details on the mode of transfer.

Sincerely yours.

Rev Dr. John Kalou

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