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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: peter briehl <peter.briehl2021@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2022 02:45:25 -0800
Subject: HOPE TO HEAR FRROM YOU SOON

Dear



On-line Service on my personal programmed search on the internet for a
reputable company or individual to assist me sincerely and confidentially
whose information & profiles were very satisfactory, so I decided to
contact you immediately.



It is my great pleasure to write you this letter. Within the Eskom Holdings
Limited where I work as a Director of Audit and Project Implementation, I
have in my possession an overdue payment in US funds



The said funds represent a certain percentage of the total contract value
Executed on behalf of my department by a foreign contracting firm, which, I
The official, over-invoiced to the amount of US$45,000, 000.00 (Forty-Five
Million United States Dollar). Though the actual contract cost has been
paid to the original contractor leaving the excess balance unclaimed. Since
the present elected Government is determined to pay foreign contractors all
debts owed, so as to maintain good relationships with foreign governments
and non-government agencies, I included the bills for approvals with the
Department of Finance and the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB)

I am seeking your assistance to front as beneficiary of the unclaimed
funds, since I am not allowed to operate foreign accounts, Details and
change of beneficiary information upon application for claim to reflect
payment and approvals will be secured on behalf of you/your Company. I have
to propose that should you be willing to assist me in this transaction your
share as compensation will be (35%), and the balance of (65%) will be for
me.



The business is completely safe and secure, provided you treat it with
Utmost confidentiality. It does not matter whether you/your Company does
contract projects, as a transfer of powers will be secured in favor of
you/your Company. Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to
the successful execution of this transaction.



I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint
me.



For more information

Kindly direct email reply to me immediately.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Kindest Regards

Anti-fraud resources: