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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: "MRS. MARY KOWALSKI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ALERTSECURITIES@secretarias.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:42:19 +0100
Subject: Good day,

Good day,
 
I have deposited your ATM card and associate document with the security company in West Africa, I traveled out of the country for official assignment and may not be back until December, What you have to do now is to contact the Security Company as soon as possible to know when they will deliver your package to you because of the expiring date.
 
For your information, I have paid for the Shipping fee, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the ATM showing that it is not Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country. The only money you will send to the Security Company to deliver your ATM card direct to your postal Address in your country is US$100 Dollars only being Security Keeping Fee of Security Company so far.
 
Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except US$100 as any other fee asked from you is not acceptable. I would have paid that but they said no because they dont know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to contact the ALERT SECURITY COMPANY now for the delivery of your ATM card with this information bellow:
 
ALERT SECURITY COMPANY
Mr. Harry Gibson
Email: asc@secretarias.com
Tell: +234-80335-06992
 
Also, make sure that you reconfirm your Postal address(s) and Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number as soon as you have paid the $100 to enable you track your package over there and know  when it will get to your address.
 
Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security safe Keeping fee of US$100 Dollars for their immediate action with the information bellow.
 
Mr. AMEH ANYEBE > Receiver Name:
ABUJA NIGERIA > Receiver country:
$100USD > Amount to be Sent:
TO WHOM > Text Question:
A.S.C > Text Answer: 
 
You are to send the necessary payment details [SENDERS FULL NAME/ADDRESS AND MTCN] via e-mail to this e-mail: atmcentre@secretarias.com - Name: Mr. AMEH ANYEBE
 
You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your ATM card.
 
Yours Faithfully,
 
MRS. MARY KOWALSKI
HEAD OF FOREIGN REMITTANCE.
 

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