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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "ROBERT SWAN MUELLER III" <test@test.com>
Reply-To: timodo12@yahoo.gr
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:04:21 -0500
Subject: FROM FBI- DO READ AND RESPOND.



FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.WASHINGTON DC.
WASHINGTON D.C ROOM, 7367
J. EDGAR HOOVER FBI BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE,
NW WASHINGTON, DC 20535,0001

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRETAP THE INTERNET

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has discovered through our
intelligence Monitoring Network that you are eligible to receive the
sum of $2.5 Million USD regarding to an over-due Inheritance/Award
payment which was fully endorsed to be paid in your favor.

Therefore, the FBI Seattle Division in conjunction with the United
States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), screened through various
Monitoring Networks and has confirmed that you have a transaction with
the Union Nigeria Finance, and you have the lawful right to claim your
funds. Your funds worth $ 2.5 million USD has been deposited into Gold
smart card number: 5120 8156 1062 5647 personal identification (PIN)
is - 1234. You must change your PIN to your own confidential PIN once
it is sent to you. The card will allow you to purchase and withdraw
cash anywhere in the world, with this card you do not need to take the
risk of sending personnal banking details online or on the internet
because you have been highly advised by your local bank not to send
your banking details to anyone on the Internet as this is done for
your own security

Bear in mind that you will be responsible for the handling and shiping
charges of your Gold Smart card to your choice location. This is a
mandatory fee that must be paid before the commencement of your ATM
card to your designated home address, once the fees is paid you will
receive your ATM card within the next 2-3 working days.

Note: In the beginning, the fees is taken from a recipient funds, but
the law was put in place to stop the deduction, as soon as we found
that some governenment official overtook funds from the beneficiaries.

Finally, you are advised to contact the agent in charge with your
name, contact address {where you want atm sent} direct phone number
and present work for the urgent release of your ATM card to your
designated home address:


Name:Timothy Odogwu
E-mail: timodo2@live.com

Thank you for your co-operation, GOD Bless America!!!

Yours Faithfully,
ROBERT SWAN MUELLER III

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