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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: "Robert S. Mueller III" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fbi.investigationss.legitcontract_fundss@live.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:16:01 -0800
Subject: OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI

OFFICIAL LETTER FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI
 
FROM: ROBERT MUELLER III EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON DC. FBI SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET.
 
ATTENTION:
 
We sincerely apologize for sending you this sensitive information via e-mail instead of a certified mail, phone call or a face-to-face conversation. This means of communication is used due to the urgency and importance of the security information involve. In the quest to cushion the effect of the global financial crisis, American government through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Washington, DC and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3) has signed an agreement with Nigeria Government for an immediate release of all overdue funds,compensation presently logged in their treasury and ensure it is disbursed to the rightful beneficiaries in any part of the world.
 
Your name was among those scammed as listed by the Nigeria Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU)compensation has been issued out in ATM DEBIT CARD to all the affected victims and has been already in distribution to all the bearers. Your ATM CARD was among those that was reported undelivered as at last Friday and we wish to advise you to see to the instructions of the FedEx Courier Service Company in Nigeria to make sure you receives your ATM CARD immediately for your usage According to the number of applicants at hand, 114 Beneficiaries has been paid, over a half of the victims are from the United States,Australia,United Kingdom.
 
We just got an information from the Central Bank of Nigeria and they have loaded your $1 Million usd on  ATM CARD and submit to the FedEx courier service company for immediate delivery to your doorstep.for quick delivery of your parcel containing your ATM CARD and other two original back up documents.You have the legitimate right to complete your transaction to claim your fund  $1 Million usd Recently the fund has been legally approved to be paid via Central Bank of Nigeria.
 
I have helped you to work things out the charge fee required now for you to get the package is $100 only and shipment will commence once the charge fee is received. I want to assure you that this is the only fee $100 required to get your package and all it document shipped to you so you have nothing to worry about. we were instructed to email you, due to the high priority of your package And everything will be taken good care by me.
 
Note: the total amount the brief case contain is $1 Million usd and it wil be delivered with all it back up security document you.I want you to get back to me and below is the information you will need to send the charge fee to enable the Fedex Next Day Express Delivery.
 
Use the information below to send the charge fee of $100 via western union with the information below and shipment will commence the same day the charge fee is received.
 
NAME: THOMAS  BODE
ADDRESS: 29 AIRPORT ROAD
CITY:LAGOS ISLAND
STATE: LAGOS
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
ZIPCODE: 23401
TEXT QUESTION: HOW LONG
ANSWER: 1 HOURS
 
Once payment is made get back to me with the payment confirmation details required below so shipment can commence.
 
SENDER NAME:????
CONFIRMATION MTCN NUMBER:???
SENDER ADDRESS :????
YOUR PHONE NUMBER:???
 
FOLLOW MY ADVICE AND INSTRUCTIONS SO EVERYTHING CAN BE DONE AND REMEMBER EVERYTHING WILL BE TAKEN GOOD CARE BY ME AND I WILL MAKE SURE SHIPMENT COMMENCE SO YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
 
STAY BLESS. AWAIT YOUR REPLY AND THE PAYMENT CONFIRMATION DETAILS.
 
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY DEPARTMENT.
You can as well get in touch with the FedEx delivery company assigned to deliver this financial package to your doorstep.
 
Below is the delivery companies contact information
Companies Name: Federal Express Courier Service
Directors Name: MR. KEITH RACE
Email: fedexofficeclaim@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone Number: +234-7082633583
......................................................................................
 
PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR DELIVERY ADDRESS BELOW:
 
Full Name:.........
Sex:...................
Mailing Address:..........
Personal Phone Number...........
Occupation:.................
Alternative E-mail.................
 
Best Regards,
 
Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA.

Anti-fraud resources: