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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: Mensah Osei <mensahosei39@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mensahosei27@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2016 23:29:28 +0000
Subject: I Need Your Assistance.


Hello Dear.

Nice To Meet You. I had a client by named Eng. John B. Meckley, He is
American Citizen and died in Syria bomb attacks last year on business
trip. He was a supplier of High Tech Machineries, plants and equipment
for the renovation of our international airport. Prior his demise, he
secured a contract of US$24,750,000 from our aviation ministry which
he received a 60% mobilization fee of USD$15,250,000 and successfully
executed the contract. The 40% balance of his payment amounting to
USD$10,500,000 due to him was paid into his account few months after
his sudden Death.

I informed my bank management and was instructed to present any member
of his family or relation with an administration of estate for claims.
I never had the courage to discuss this with anyone but frankly
speaking, it will be stupid of me to leave his funds to his account
since i know his is dead.

Note, as an officer of the bank, I cannot be personally connected to
the fund which make me to request for your assistance to stand as Eng.
John relative to receive the fund. I agree that we share the funds 40%
for you and 60% for me. I have all it takes as his personal account
manager to put claim over his funds under a legitimate to appointing
you as Eng. John relative. I am aware this might be against your
ethical belief or personal indoctrination but I hope you see good
reasons to consider partnering with me as his available relative.

It is officially advised by my bank management to present Eng. John
relative for the claim. I will send you modalities for the release of
Eng John funds once I get a positive response from you. Please do
treat this information as Top secret between us and if this business
proposal offends your moral ethics, do accept my sincere apology.
Thanks for your understanding.

Regards
Mr. Mensah Osei










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