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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: AHMAD RUFAI SANI <aahmadsanirufai@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 May 2014 21:01:20 -0700
Subject: Most urgently.

Dear Sir, I feel compelled to write this mail to you following the tragedy
that befalls me recently. In the recent attacks by Boko Haram Islamist
militants I lost two children and my properties worth several millions of
Dollars were destroyed.

I am a Senator in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. My name is Mr. Ahmad
Rufai Sani. In pursuit of peace and security for my family following the
escalating security tension and terrorist threats in Nigeria I have decided
to quit politics and relocate my family to your country for settlement. It
is pertinent to note that, a state of lawlessness had begun to emerge in
Nigeria states, spurred by elements using terrorist tactics, with the
ultimate objective of destabilizing the Nigerian state. Lives and
properties are not guaranteed anymore in Nigeria.

My objective for writing this mail to you is to solicit for your
assistance that will help to relocate my family to your country and to
transfer money to your country through your bank accounts for keeps and
also for investment in a business that will sustain my family during their
stay in your country. I do not have foreign bank account to transfer money
to your country and hence I am appealing for your assistance. We
politicians are strictly prohibited by the law of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria not to own or operate foreign account while in office. Take note
that I have large sums of money to transfer to your country for keeps and
investments if you can assist to facilitate the proposal. I considered your
country security and economy good for investments and safer to keep money
for future. I look forward for your unflinching support to this proposal
and I am appealing that you should not expose it. Thanks in anticipation of
your cooperation

Yours truly,

SEN. AHMAD RUFAI SANI

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