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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: "Metropolitan Police London-UK." <rscrbdg@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: <customers-service@info.al>
Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2010 14:55:13 -0700
Subject: Anti-Crime Unit..............Metropolitan Police London-UK.

BRITISH METROPOLITAN POLICE
Address: New Scotland Yard Broadway
London SW1H 0BG
Date: 2nd  October 2010
 
 
Time: 5:00pm (British Time GMT).
 
 
Kind Attention,
 
 
We believe this notification meets you in a very good state of mind and health. The BRITISH METROPOLITAN POLICE in conjunction with some other relevant Investigation Agencies here in the United kingdom have recently been informed through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you have a pending FUND transaction with a Bank regarding to an over-due Inheritance / Award payment which was fully endorsed to be paid in your favor.
 
 
It might interest you to know that we have taken out time in screening through this whole transaction as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have finally confirmed that BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON-UK is the authorized financial institution scheduled to make your payment in line with their remittance requirements. Several investigations made by us have shown that you have been dealing with some unauthorized persons and banks regarding the transfer of these funds to your bank account.
 
 
Our UK attached agent recently had a meeting with the Manager of BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON-UK, in the person of MR. JERRY BRUCE JUNIOR, along with some other top officials of BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON-UK, regarding your case and they made us to understand that your file has been held in abase pending when you personally file for your claims. They intimated him that the only problem they are facing right now is that some unscrupulous element are using this project as an avenue to scam innocent people off their hard earned money by impersonating to be STAFF OF BANKS and its affiliates.
 
 
We were also made to understand that a lady with name Mrs. Joan C. Bailey from Ohio, United Of America has already contacted them and also presented to them all the necessary documentations evidencing your claim purported to have been signed personally by you prior to the release of your funds to her, though they insisted on hearing from you personally before they could go ahead on wiring the funds to the Bank information provided by the above named Lady. It is basically one of the main reasons why they contacted us, to enable us assist them in carrying out proper investigation and subsequently informing you of their mandate to remitting your funds.
 
 
Most importantly, we advise that you discontinue further dealings with any person or organization posing as staff or affiliate of any bank or agency concerning the transfer of your funds. In your own interest, you are advised to immediately contact BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON-UK on the following details for the onward remittance of your funds.
 
 
 
CONTACT PERSON: MR. JERRY BRUCE JUNIOR.
ADDRESS: 1 Churchill Place
London, E14 5HP, United Kingdom.
Private Banking Section: (+44) 75161 55910 (+44) 70457 41718
Line Phone + (44) 208-144-7651
Fax: + (44) 702-406-7816
EMAIL: customers-service@info.al 
 
 
Ensure that you comply with all their remittance procedures and also furnish them with your full details (Full names and address, direct telephone and fax numbers your Occupation and Age) to enable them in their verification processes before the release of your funds.
 
 
 
Best Regards,
Mr. Barry Topkins.
Anti-Crime Unit
Metropolitan Police London-UK.

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