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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: "David" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <infoweb757@yahoo.co.nz>
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:50:21 +0100
Subject: RE:Important letter as a contractor/supplier of Oil Pipe Line

Dear Sir

It is with my profound dignity that I write you this very important letter as a contractor/supplier of Oil Pipe Lines.

We have decided to contact you due to the urgency of this transaction to enable us meet up with the first payment quarter for the year 2013 which has already begun.

However, let me start by introducing myself properly to you. I am Dr. Edward Gaki Paul, director with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and I presently head a seven man tender’s board in charge of Contract Awards and Payment Approvals. I came to know of your company in my quest for a reliable/reputable company in the line of Oil Pipe Lines contractor/supplies to handle a business transaction which involves the transfer of huge sum of funds to a foreign account.
I and my colleagues are Top Officials of the Federal Government Contract Review and Award Panel. Our duties include Evaluation, Vetting and approval for payment of Contracts Jobs done for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigeria Liquefied Gas (LNG) e.g. in order to commence this business we hereby solicit your assistance to enable us transfer into your company account the said funds.
We selected your company because your company is into the sales and supplies of Oil Pipe Lines and other pipe line products which is the main area for that contract.
The source of these funds is as follows: In the first quarter of 2011 these committee was mandated to review and award contracts to the tune of USD$400 Million US Dollars to five foreign companies for the supplies, constructions and installations of Oil Pipe Lines in Warri and Port Harcourt. During this process my colleagues and I decided and agreed amongst ourselves to deliberately over-inflate the total contract sum from US$400 Million US Dollars to US$448 Million United States Dollars with the intention of sharing the remaining sum of US$48 Million US Dollars amongst ourselves.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has since last year approved the sum of US$448 Million to us as the contract sum, and the sum of US$400 Million has also been paid to the foreign companies/contractors:
1. Metals International Limited
2. Zakhem International Constriction Limited
3. Atlas Oils Pty Ltd
4. ALPINE Bau GmbH
5. CCECC LTD
They have all been settled for their various supplies, constructions and installation done. Since the contractors where originally entitled to US$400 Million only, we are now left with US$48 Million balance in the account which we intend to disburse amongst ourselves.
By virtue of our positions as Civil Servants and members of this panel, we can not do this by ourselves, as we are prohibited by the code of Conduct Bureau (Civil Service Laws) from opening or operating any foreign account(s) either in our names of inherited while still in Government service, making it impossible for us to acquire this funds in our names right now.
I have therefore, been delegated as a matter of trust and urgency by my colleagues in the panel to solicit with an overseas/foreign partner in same line of contract which mostly is the supplies and installation Oil Pipe Lines, into which account we would transfer the sum of US$48 Million US Dollars. Hence we are writing you this letter.
My Colleagues and I have agreed that if your company can act as the beneficiary of this funds on our behalf, your Company will retain 20% of the total amount (US$48 Million US Dollars) while 60% will be for us (OFFICIALS) and the remaining 20% will be used for Insurance/Taxes incurred both local and foreign in the cause of this transfer.
Needless to say, the trust reposed on you at this junction enormous. In return we demand your complete honesty and trust. You must NOTE that this transaction will be strictly based on the following terms and conditions as we have stated below:
TERMS/CONDITIONS
a) Our conviction of your transparent honesty and diligence
b) That you would treat this transaction with utmost SECRECY & CONFIDENTIALITY
c) That you will not ask for more % and guarantee us in writing that you will not sit on the funds or do otherwise once it is under your custody, or any form of blackmail.
d) That upon the receipt of the funds you will release the funds as instructed by us after you have removed your share of 20% from the total amount.
e) The remaining 20% for Insurance/Taxes, if untouched or after taxes paid from it during the transfer, the balance will be shared 50% each.
Please, note that this transaction is 100% LEGAL and we hope to conclude this transaction within seven bank working days from the date of receipt of the necessary requirements from you. We are looking forward in doing these with you and solicit your Total Co-operation in this transaction. We also reassure that it is completely safe should you accept to do these with us.
Here in my country there are great Economic and political disarray and instability especially with the recent fuel subsidy crisis and (NLC) Nigerian labor Congress strike still on, retirement from active Civil Service has NO guarantees that is why we make do of any opportunity while in office so that we do not languish in poverty after active service. I will explain more to you when I have heard from you.
Upon your confirmation, I will furnish you with further details.
You can also forward your mobile number and the best time to reach you.
Your urgent response will be highly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,


David Idemba

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