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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: "Engr. Abba Gulama" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.agulama601@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2016 16:35:50 +0100
Subject: ATTN: ESTEEMED SIR MADAM, RE:INVESTMENT COOPERATION.

Dear Esteemed Sir/Madam,
 
Most sincere greetings to you.
 
Please forgive me for contacting you without your permission. I believe we can be of help to each other by partnering in this transaction despite the fact that we do not know each other before.
 
My name is Engineer Abba Gulama. I am the Director ofProcurement, Federal Ministry of Science andTechnology, Federal Government ofNigeria
 
I am soliciting for your assistance and cooperation to transfer the sum of US$5Million to your care as our trustee and foreign partner for investment.This transaction is a private arrangement between me and a colleague of mine in the Ministry who is in charge of contract payments awarded and executed for the Ministry. If you can assist us as our trustee and foreign business partner in this venture you will be entitled to 30% of the total fund when transferred to you. It is necessary to inform you that after this first transfer are effectuated and your performance is seen to be honest and perfect, other fund transfers shall be initiated to be received by you.
 
There will be legal documents that will be processed to serve as back up documents for the fund transfer as legitimate payment being made to you for specific contract awarded and duly completed. The documentation shall serve as proofs that the fund being transferred to you is legitimate and has nothing to do with money laundering, drugs, illicit or criminal activity. I shall discuss this further with you when I receive your response.
 
If you are interested to help us realize this venture with you, please feel free to reply me to enable me furnish you with further information about this transaction. Upon receipt of your reply affirming your interest to assist and partner with us to receive the fund, I shall open up telephone communication with you on how we are to go about this. I will be eternally grateful if you would be kind to partner with us to achieve success in this venture on the basis of mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual interest. I am assuring you that you will never ever be disappointed if you avail us your helping hands for the success of this transaction.
 
Once your response is received and we have understanding to work together, the transfer of the funds shall be concluded in less than 10 working days.I will appreciate if you would include your contact telephone number when replying to enable me speak with you and discuss this transaction properly for better understanding before we proceed
 
Looking forward to your response.
 
Yours truly,
Engr. Abba Gulama.

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