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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: ZAKARI DJIBRIL SAMBAOU <infobarristerzakari@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2014 13:16:14 +0200
Subject: Urgent Confirmation

Zakari Djibril SAMBAOU
01 BP: 2709
Cotonou Republique du Benin
Av.Van Full Hoven
Tel: (229) 99 009 464
Fax: (00229) 32 62 66 65

I know you will be surprised to read from someone unknown to you. I am
Barrister SAMBAOU Zakari, the private attorney Late Mr.Micheal, a
national of your country, he was the former director of the ORYX OIL &
GAS and Major Auto dealer here in Benin Republic. On Friday, the 26th
May 2006 my client, his wife and their only daughter was involved in
Benin petrol tanker explosion incident happened at Porga, while
returning from the site. His car collided with a tanker fully loaded
with fuel caught fire and all occupants of the car
unfortunately lost their lives.(news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5016532.stm)

Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy but to no
avail. I have struggled a lot with the bank about the money. Now the
bank issued me a letter of ultimatum to provide the heirs or
confiscated his account as unclaimed fund.I am contacting you to
assist me to get of the sum of Eighteen million five hundred thousand
dollars left in the bank.

Since you have the same surname and also come from the same country of
origin. I hereby seek your consent to present you as the relative to
my deceased client; so that the bank will transfer this fund into your
account, and then we will share the money 40% for you and 60% for me.
I will procure all necessary legal documents that can be used to back
up this claim we make. All I require is your honest cooperation to
enable us see this business through legally. Do not turn rejected this
offer. This is a blessing in disguise. I will send you my
international passport identity License Lawyer and each document to
the prove legality and authenticity of the letter.

I cannot afford to leave the money for the bank. No, I cannot, even if
it's the only thing I had achieved in my life. Our financial laws
allow the extended family of the account holder to claim the money in
the event of death. I have the legal authority to testify that you are
the beneficiary. All documents and account information are all in my
file. It is legitimate, so do not worry, give me your positive
response. Below is the information I need from you. Your full name,
address, age, occupation, position, telephone and fax communications.

Waiting for your positive responds.

Sincerely.
Barr SAMBAOU Zakari (Esq)

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