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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: "Hon. Ato Forson" <a.forson721@gmail.com>
Reply-To: at.forson1@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 10 May 2016 09:58:50 +0000
Subject: I HOPE YOU RECEIVE MY MAIL THIS TIME



--
Dear Sir/Madam,

After my official inquiry from the foreign trade office of the
chambers of commerce & industry here, Hence I decided to contact you
though I did not disclose this to anyone else because of the discreet
nature of this project. I found your profile very interesting and
decided to reach you directly to solicit for your assistance and
guidelines in making a business investment and transfer of
US$39,300,000.00 (Thirty Nine million Three Hundred thousand United
States Dollars) to your country within the next Seven (7) working days.

Please I must plead for your confidence in this Project. I am the
Deputy Minister with the Ministry of Finance & Economic planning
(MOFEP), Republic of Ghana. I am currently in need of a silent foreign
partner whose identity we can use to move this sum of money. But at
this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this
profitable business investment until I get your response by email or
telephone as indicated below. please if you can take out a moment of
your very busy schedule today to respond back to this mutual benefit
business proposal, It will be highly appreciated. Kindly include the
followings in your response for more details. i) Name, ii) Address,
iii) Age, iv) Sex, v) Occupation, vi) Company name and address and,
vii) Mobile Telephone number.

This fund accured legitimately to us as commission from foreign
contracts, through our private connections. The fund is presently
waiting to be remitted from the bank here in Ghana to any overseas
beneficiary confirmed by us as associate/receiver. By virtue of my
position as a civil servant in my country, I cannot acquire this money
in my name. Because as a high placed civil servant, I am not allowed
by the civil service code of conduct to own or operate bank accounts
outside of our shores. On the other hand, it is not safe for me to
keep the money here due to unstable political environment. I have been
propel to look for an overseas silent partner who could work with me
to facilitate transfer of this fund for our mutual benefit, hence the
reason for this email. My proposal is that after you receive the
funds, it would be shared as follows: (1) 30% to you as commission for
your co-operation and assistance in facilitating the transfer, while
the remaining 70% belongs to me. You will be free to take out your
commission immediately after the money hits your account in your
country Since my objective is to invest the money in a foreign
country, it would be appreciated if you could also help me with
advises and direction on investing part of my share into profitable
ventures in your country.

However, this is optional, and if it is not convenient for you to
further assist me with investing the money, we can end our cooperation
after you make available to me my part of the money. The transaction,
although discreet, is legitimate and the money will be transferred
successfully with all necessary back-up official documents showing the
legitimate source/origin of fund. The transfer will be effected as
soon as we reach an agreement and you furnish me with a suitable
response indicating your interest for processing the transfer. I plead
with you on one issue, whether you are interested or not, kindly do
not expose this information to any one else for security reasons. I
confirm that the transaction is legitimate and without any risks
either to me or yourself. I wait your response immediately by
returning this mail through my secure email address.

Yours Faithfully,

Hon. Ato Forson

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