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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: Gilbert Atcha <gilatcha@naver.com>
Reply-To: chanddreginme1976@gmx.com
Date: 06 Mar 2021 13:38:19 -0800
Subject: Re:

Greetings to you,

I am glad to establish this contact through searching for a name,
My name is Mr. Gilbert Atcha, a Branch Manager of a Bank here in
the Republic o Togo, West Africa. I do hope that I can trust you
with the information I want to share with you.

Though I feel not quite safe discussing this Business with you
through this Internet method, why because this transaction is a
very important business and must be treated Confidential. I know
using this medium of the Internet has been greatly abused, I
still choose to reach you through it because it still remains the
fastest medium of communication.

I got your information during my search through the Internet. I
feel privileged to collaborate with you on the below proposed
project. I do foresee the surprise this letter will bring to you
as it comes from a stranger, but be assured that it comes with
the best of intentions. If you don't want this business offer
kindly forget it, as I will not contact you again.

This is in regards to a fund I discovered that my branch made in
the course of the year, in which I am the Manager and the excess
profit is Seven Million five Hundred Thousand Dollars [US$7,500,
000.00] which my head office are not aware of and will never be
aware of. I have since placed this fund in a SUNDRY ACCOUNT.

As an officer of the bank I cannot be directly linked to this
money, so this informed my contacting you for us to work together
so that you can assist me and receive this fund into your bank
account in your country for us to SHARE.

It is my intention for us to jointly recuperate the said deposit
for our mutual benefit and for use in worthwhile projects in your
country or abroad.For your mutual collaboration I propose we
disburse the proceeds of this transaction on basis of your
acceptance and also per your own suggestion.

I am offering you 50% of the total fund, while you keep 50% for
me in your bank account till I join you in your country for the
sharing/investment of my own share of the funds or better still
we can go into a joint partnership venture, I will appreciate it
very much.

I immensely request for your optimum honesty and cooperation and
Let me know your mind on this, and please do treat this
information as Top secret as I can’t afford to lose my job with
the Bank. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent
response.

Thanks for your understanding, I will be waiting for your
response for more clarification.

Sincerely,
Mr. Gilbert Atcha.

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