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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: "United Nations Settlement" <unitednations.settlement@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:01:58 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY

Attention: Beneficiary,

This is to inform you that the United Nation executive
Committee members on Public Economic and Social Affairs had
a meeting with representatives around the Globe regarding
funds held in Africa and others countries with African
origin and your file was brought, the Executives came to a
conclusion that we have to pay you the sum of US$5.5M and
the balance will come later.

Meanwhile, I was informed yesterday by my regional director
that two gentlemen and a lawyer came to his office in place
of you that you have sent them to come and collect your
funds on your behalf because your name was mentioned at the
meeting, which was found from a file seized from one the
suspended bank official, name withed for security reasons.
But very surprised to him because he is not in the position
to give any details concerning your funds, so he told them
to come back in five days to have time and contact you for
clarification. They have come with this below account
information for the transfer.

Name: Michael Simmon
Bank name: Frost Bank San Antonio, USA.
Account number: 1702109400.

Therefore do let us know immediately if you are the one that
sent these men so that we can process the transfer, your
immediate respond is urgently needed.

Dr. James Lawson
U.N Official.

Anti-fraud resources: