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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: "MR.CHARLES ELVIS" <mr.echarles0009@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: mr.echarles_000@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 21:07:21 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: DIRECTIVES ON YOUR AWAITING FUND REPLY.


DIRECTIVES ON YOUR AWAITING FUND REPLY.

I am Mr.Charles Elvis,Pay Master General of the Federation,I wish to inform you that we have received authentic approval and instruction directly from our president,Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar Adua(GCFR)Federal Republic of Nigeria to pay you,your outstanding Inheritance Sum.

It has become considerably emergent that we have been directed to take this measure due to the much embarrassment being caused to certain foreign beneficiaries and the federal republic of Nigeria due to questionable circumstances with which some greedy officials of the Bank's in Nigeria always request for up front payment from contractors and beneficiaries before their payment is released.

All approvals required for this payment have been issued in your favour including the original document and payment instructions already forwarded to my office today.To enable you to receive your payment within 72hrs  I need you to confirm the required details.However,I will ensure that your payment is smooth,fast and successful.Therefore,I want you to personally know that the preferred method of you,receiving your fund is through the below means:

Telegraphic Transfer(TT) Which Wires Funds Directly To Your Own Bank Account Within 48 Hours With The Paying Bank.

You are expected to reply urgently today with your readiness to have your funds received at once so we forge ahead to enable this Office to proceed with the modalities of releasing your Funds in your favour and your personal bank account within the next 48 hours.

Yours sincerely,

Mr.Charles Elvis.
Chairman,Investigation and Debt Settlement Committee.
Tele:+2348027296664

Anti-fraud resources: