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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: "wema bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wjohn.wemabank@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 16:52:14 -0700
Subject: YOUR COMPENSATION HAS BEEN AUTHORISED

FROM THE DESK OF MR WILLIAM JOHN
MANAGER WEMA BANK NIGERIA PLC
WEMA TOWERS
54 MARINA ,LAGOS-NIGERIA
TEL: +234-706-260-6229
 
Dear Friend,
 
How are you today.
 
I hope my message will reach you in good health.
 
I write to inform you that I was directed by your former Business Partner MR PETER ANTHONY to release to you an International Certified Cashier's Bank Cheque Valued US$1.5 Million United States Dollars as a Compensation of a business he would have finalize with you but latter concluded with another partner due to the urgency of the transaction as at that time.
 
MR PETER ANTHONY is right now in Frakfurt Germany doing investment and instructed me to release and forward to you an International Certified Cashier's Bank Cheque worth US$1,500,000.00 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ) as a compensation.
 
He instructed me to make sure you receive this cheque without delay to enable you be happy and take care of yourself,family and business.
Iam the Account Officer to MR PETER ANTHONY in the Wema Bank Nigeria PLC.
 
This is to inform you that your International Certified Bank Cheque valued US$1.5 Million United States Dollars has been issued,stamped and signed.
 
You are  required to reconfirm your Full Names,Contact Address,Telephone Numbers and Your nearest Airport to avoid and mistake and easy delivery of your Certified Bank Cheque to you.
 
Your cheque has been certified Authentic,Orginal and acceptable anywhere in the World by the International Money Regulatory Unit.
 
You will have your money soon as you receive your original certified bank cheque.
 
I have contacted the FEDEX Courier Delivery Company that will deliver your Certified Bank Cheque to you and they told me that their delivery fee is US$195.
 
You are advised to send immediately the US$195 for the Courier delivery fee through Western Union Money Transfer or Money Gram in the name of the below FEDEX Courier Officer:
 
 
NAME: MR TERRY RAYMOND
 
ADDRESS: FEDEX COURIER OFFICE,LAGOS-NIGERIA
 
TEXT QUESTION: WHAT FOR
 
ANSWER: COURIER FEE
 
MTCN NUMBER ............................
 
SENDER'S NAME:
 
ADDRESS:
 
 
Once the Courier fee is received,your certified bank cheque valued US$1.5 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS will be delivered to you within forty eight hours.
 
THIS IS IRREVOCABLE ASSURANCE AND GUARANTEE.
 
You have to forward the Western Union or Money Gram Transfer information to me soon as you send the fee so that I will instruct MR TERRY RAYMOND to collect the fee and deliver your cheque to you within forty eight hours.
 
Congratulation.
 
Your Certified Bank Cheque will be cancelled if there is any delay in complying with the above directives.
 
Regards,
 
MR WILLIAM JOHN
MANAGER WEMA BANK NIGERIA PLC
 

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