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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. Kotuno Malaki" <kotunomalaki101@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. Kotuno Malaki" <kotunomalaki111@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2014 13:36:11 +0900 (JST)
Subject: UNCLAIMED MONEY: Please respond

Dear sir/madam,

I am contacting you in confidence and hoping that you are trustworthy and reliable to handle business transactions. My name is Mr. Kotuno Malaki, a chartered accountant, financial consultant / external auditor. In an audit exercise in one the banks I consult for, I discovered an unclaimed fund in a suspense account. This money was deposited as fixed by a foreigner but has been matured for more than thirteen Months ago. Further investigation reveal that the depositor died in his country while on vacation and no claimant has come forward to claim the fund. The amount is Four Million, Eight hundred thousand US Dollars.

Furthermore, I have discussed this issue privately with the bank’s remittance director and he has instructed me to look for a trustworthy foreigner, capable of handling this transaction so that he he/she can be presented as the beneficiary of the due deposit. This fund will be transferred to his/her nominated bank account. After which I will travel to meet you for the sharing as agreed. This transaction will be executed under a special arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Therefore, if you are trustworthy and confident to handle this transaction please as soon as you receive this proposal for further details. Meanwhile I am proposing 40% for you and 60% for me and my partners.

NOTE: This transaction must be kept confidential because of my explanation of the source of the fund.

I hope to hear from you soon.

You can reach me through my private email; kotunomalaki111@gmail.com

Regards,

Mr. Kotuno Malaki

Anti-fraud resources: