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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: davidosuji52@yahoo.com
Reply-To: davidosuji58@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 12:57:05 -0700
Subject: I decided to make this direct approach to you

Attn: Sir

After waiting to hear from you for a long time now. I decided to make this direct approach to you. I do not know if you have asked yourself why each time the release of your fund is approved, all of a sudden, the payment will be stopped or one problem or the other will come up. If you have not asked this question or you do not know, this is an opportunity for me to tell you.

Some time ago, your partners that introduced you to the project approached me and requested me to assist them conclude a money transfer deal they had with you. They requested me to assist them by removing the original contractors name vetting computer and replacing them with your name and your bank details in order to make you appear as the rightful beneficiary of this fund. I agreed on condition that they will pay me as soon as your name appears as the beneficiary as agreed and demanded to be paid, your friends started telling me stories, Do you know up till now I have not received a single cent from them and have not set my eyes on any of them. They went as far as attempting to divert the transfer of the funds to an account in Regions Bank.

Based on their attitude, I decided to stop the fund release movement because I cannot be denied of my right in my own office considering the risk as it might affect my job. Secondly, I know the source of the funds,that you did not execute any contract in Nigeria, although I am the only person privileged to know about this and it is a fact. Why I am making this clear to you is that I can see that you are still making efforts in order to conclude this project. Now I am ready to forget the past, and want us to work collectively to get this transaction completed. I need your assurance that those colleagues will be totally kept out of this transaction. I know that none of them is aware of my new approach to you,we will agree to handle this together and work as sincere and honest partners.

Finally, I need your promise that no official in Nigeria will be aware of my involvement in this transaction. And also re-assure me that you will be willing to compensate me and establish a foreign account in your country where my compensation will be lodged. I am a Man of my word. If you are ready to conclude this business with me, kindly contact me .

Yours Faithfully.

David Osuji

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