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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: Odun Odunfa <lawsondan46@gmail.com>
Reply-To: odun_odunfa@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2017 12:50:25 +0100
Subject: May I have your consent to this.

Compliments















*I offer my friendship and believe you will accept me with good heart,I was
pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I am
Mr.Odun Odunfa,Managing Director First Atlantic Ghana. I have this
important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will
interest you because,it is in connection with your last name and you are
going to benefit from it.A citizen of your country,Mr.Rayan had a fixed
deposit with my bank in 2006 for 36 calendar months,valued at
US$8,000,000.00 (Eight Million US Dollars). He was among the victims of the
deadly earthquake which occured in China in 2008.He was in China on a
business trip and that was how he met his end.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7410166.stm
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7410166.stm> . 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,not married and 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 Co-Board
Members 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
is the reason when I saw your last name I became happy and now seek your
co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/Heir to the account,since you
have the same last name with him.My bank head quarters will be glad to
release the account to you on your request. There is no risk involved and
be assured 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 my Co-Board members to divert this funds into their
personal accounts,they are rich already. On the sharing aspect,I suggest we
share the funds,50/50% to both of us. I intend investing my share 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. Here below is my personal
contact Info:Email address: odun_odunfa@yahoo.com <odun_odunfa@yahoo.com>
We can as well discuss this further on phone,let me know when you will be
available to speak with me. Have a nice day. Best regards.Odun Odunfa.*

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