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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: Paulin Cossi <of--------files@att.net>
Reply-To: pwilson2010@fastservice.com
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 05:41:45 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Immediate Attention On The Matter.


Attn: Sir/Madam.

It was resolved after the Board meetings held by the Foreign Remittance Department to release all outstanding Inheritance/Contract payment waiting for transfer as we begin the first fiscal payment of the year, and I wish to officially notify you that your payment is been processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter and also note that from the record in our files, we discovered that your outstanding part payment is US$7,500,000.00, which has been approved on your name to be paid.

Please you are strictly warned to stop further communication to anybody claiming to assist you in this regard, and you are advised to re-confirm the information listed below:

1. Your Full Name:

2. Your Complete Mailing Address:

3. Your Telephone/Fax Number:

4. Occupation:

5. Copy of Your Identification:

Please you should see this notice as the very last correspondence message sent to you awaits your immediate attention on the matter.

Waiting for your urgent reply.

Thanks,
Yours in Service.
Mr. Paulin Cossi.
Tel: +2296 688 2666.
From The Desk of Auditing Section,
Central Bank of West African States,
Cotonou, Benin-Republic.

Anti-fraud resources: