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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: "THOMAS WILSOM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thomaswilson01@e-mail.ua>
Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2012 03:52:47 +0100
Subject: Your payment via ATM VISA CARD

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
INTERNATIONAL WIRE TRANSFER UNIT
WORLD BANK AUDITORS RELEASE
LAGOS NIGERIA
 
OUR REF:UN/WR/011.4XXVX/100
YOUR REF;CBN/WBA/345-BS/2012
 
 
SUBJECT: FUND RELEASE THROUGH ATM VISA CARD.
 
The above subject refers.
This Friday morning the 9th of Nov. 2012, confirmation of payment was forwarded to us for the immediate release of your Fund through inter bank ATM VISA CARD process of the United Nations, World bank and the Interbank Payments.
 
Please confirm your mailing address for delivery of your fund via ATM VISA CARD.
YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR FULL ADDRESS:
YOUR MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER:
Once more congratulations and do get back to us without delay.
 
Yours in Service
Thomas Wilson
For International payment,
United Nations/World Bank group.

Anti-fraud resources: