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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: "Mr. Johnson Harris" <margaretsawers1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: h_johnson_1960@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:46:41 +0100
Subject: Business Investment.

Dear Future Partner,

It is my pleasure to contact you today hoping that you will read and
understand my plight. I am Mr. Johnson Harris the Fund Manager Executive
with UBS AG Investment BANK LONDON UK; my office monitors and controls the
affairs of all the transactions in the bank that concerned foreign contract
payments. I have before me list of funds, which could not be transferred to
some nominated accounts as these accounts have been identified either as
ghost accounts, unclaimed deposits and over-invoiced sum etc.

As it is my duty to recommend the transfer of these surplus funds to the
Government Treasury and Reserve Accounts as unclaimed deposits, I am
writing you based on the instructions I received two days ago from the
Committee on Contract Payments / Foreign Debts to submit the List of
payment reports/expenditures and audited reports of revenues. Among
several others, I want to remit sum money into your nominated account by
telegraphic Transfer (T/T), confirm-able in 14 working days, following my
idea that we have a deal /agreement and I am going to do this legally, I
will not mention the amount for security reasons. I can only do that when
we open a serious business relationship on this transaction.

All paper works will be handled professionally by me so as not to violate
any financial regulations. And all correspondence will be strictly by email
/ telephone, for security purposes. We shall share in the ratio of 50:50 on
confirmation of the funds in your custody. There should be no third parties
as most problems associated with fund release are caused by agents or
representatives.

I am asking for your honesty, dedication and understanding in this
transaction so to have a fruitful result. If you accept my offer kindly get
back to me with your personal details so l will advise you on what to do
immediately so that this transfer will commence without delay. I will
proceed in fixing your name on the Payment schedule instantly to meet the
fourteen working days mandate.

Waiting for your urgent response.

Regards,

Mr. Johnson Harris

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