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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: "Mr Gerald Magoro." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <geraldmag1@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:27:05 -0700
Subject: WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Hello dear,
How are you?  I have been in search of someone to introduce this transfer investment  to and it is my pleasure to seek for your business assistance.
In the year 2007,  One Late Dr. Curtis,  had a fixed deposit with my bank for 36 calendar months,  valued Eight million,  four hundred thousand US dollars only (USD8.400,000,00)  the due date for this deposit contract was 11 December,  2010.  Sadly,  Dr. Curtis  was in Libya on a business trip and that was how he met his end, I have carried out various inquiries to locate any of his client and extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. Since the demise of  this our customer, who was a seasoned oil Merchant/contractor. I have kept a close watch of the deposit records and accounts and since then no body has come to claim the said money as next of kin.
I hereby write in regards to this effect to have you stand as the rightful beneficiary to Late Dr. Curtis so that the fund will be claimed and transferred into your designated bank account before my bank declare the total fund unserviceable and confiscate it.   Because last week my Bank Management requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds.
Please,  there is no risk involved,  the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of law.
I immensely request for your optimum honesty cooperation and let me know your mind on this,  and please do handle this information with utmost secrecy.  We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response, through my private email:geraldmagoro2014@gmail.com
Anticipating your communication and God bless you.
Best regards,
Gerald Magoro.
Agricultural Development Bank, Ghana Limited

Anti-fraud resources: