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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: BENSON OWEN <lowell300_4@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2014 00:21:38 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Hello.......




Attention:

I am aware that this is an unconventional way of  relaying an important message such as this. I did try without success to locate both your contact address or phone/fax number and as such, I  resorted in contacting you via email. I am Mr Benson Owen, An investment consultant working with Bank UBS AG Zurich at their offshore  department. I will be happy to work this deal out with you if you have a corporate or personal Bank Account and if you are capable to keep TOP  SECRET. During one of our periodic auditing I discovered a dormant  accounts with holding balance of US$320,000.000.00 {Three Hundred And  twenty million US Dollars only}.If you are not familiar with Swiss  Dormant Accounts and profile, please take a moment of your very busy  schedules to read about Swiss dormant accounts: website;  www.crt-ii.org/2001_list/publication_list1_A.phtm

I am  constrained to issue more details about this business until your  response is received If you know that you are capable to handle large or small amount on trust and can keep secret and ready to take 40% of any  amount I transfer to your account from the dormant accounts and I will  take 60%, then get back to me immediately with your details tell me more about yourself, while I look forward to receive the above information.

I want to re-assure you that this business is risk free and you can send  an empty account to receive the funds, provided that the account is  capable to receive incoming funds, the transaction will be executed  under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of  the law.

Send also your private mobile phone number where I can reach you now.
Thank you for your time and attention.

Warmest regards.

Mr Benson Owen,

Anti-fraud resources: