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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: "Vincent Zulu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <vincentzuluimf@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2015 14.10.40 +0200
Subject: Message From Mr. Vincent Zulu (Important Message)

Vincent Zulu.
Member IMF Monitoring Team
Pretoria  South Africa
 
Attn: Sir/Madam.
My name is Vincent Zulu; I am a member of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Monitoring Team. I am conducting a standard process investigation on behalf of ABSA Bank South Africa.
This investigation involves a client who shares the same surname with you and also the circumstances surrounding investments made by this client at ABSA Investments, the Private Banking arm of ABSA. The ABSA client died in testate and nominated no successor in title over the investments made with the bank.  There is no one on his record listed to inherit the huge millions of Dollars he left with the bank.  The reason of this communication with you is to request you provide me information/comments on any or all of the four issues:
1-        Are you aware of any relative/relation who shares your same name who visited Africa in the past?
2-        Are you aware of any investment of One Hundred and Fifty Two Million US Dollars made by such a person at the Private Banking Division of ABSA Bank?
3-        Are you aware of any relative born between 1935 and 1941?
4-        Can you confirm your readiness and willingness to stand as the Next of Kin to the deceased to enable the Bank transfer the abandoned funds to you?  If you do not know this person, I we can work together to present you as the Next of Kin to enable the Bank transfer the $152,000,000.00 to you.
It is important that you inform me ASAP whether or not you are familiar with this personality that I may put an end to this communication with you and our inquiries surrounding this personality or you are ready to work with me to move the funds to you for sharing and investment.
You must appreciate that I am not allowed to provide you with more detailed information at this point until you have responded to this message. Please respond to this mail as soon as possible to afford me the opportunity to close this investigation and proceed with the processing and immediate transfer of the above sum to you.
Thank you for accommodating our enquiry.
Mr. Vincent Zulu.
IMF Monitoring Team
For: ABSA
09/08/2015
 

Anti-fraud resources: