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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: George Opuku <george.opuku.k@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 13:01:47 -0700
Subject: Hello..

Hi?

I have been in search of someone that bear the same LAST NAME with my
client, so when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you and see how
best we can assist each other,with hope you are reliable and trustworthy
person. I am Mr. George Opuku a Banker here in Ghana. I believe it is
the wish of God for me to come across you on search. I have an important
business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest
you and make a good decision, it is in connection with your last name and
you are going to
benefit from it.

Well he is a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in
2009 for 36 calendar months, valued at US$85,000,000.00 (eighty five
Million US Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was this 16 of
July 2014. Sadly he was among the death victims in the May 16 2014 miner's
disaster in Soma, Turkey that killed over 245 people. He was in Turkey on a
business trip and that was how he met his end.The fund is unclaimed as he
died in a deadly miner Explosion in 2014.

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because
he was my friend and I am his account officer.He did not mention any Next
of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and He was not married and has no
children. Last week my Bank Management requested that i should give
instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract.
I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means
to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that
he is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their
personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your
last name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you
as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name
with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you.
There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. It
is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to
claim it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am
suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50%, my share will assist me to
start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this
and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET.There is not risk
involve in it. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent
response strictly through my personal here.
We can as well discuss this on phone; let me have your telephone number
and also know when you will be available to speak with me. Have a nice day
and remain blessed.
Anticipating your communication.I will be very happy for your argent
respond to the email.

George.

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