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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: "Department of Homeland Security" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hmls.gov@usa.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 22:34:19 -0000
Subject: For your Benefit and good of the Nation

U.S Department Of Homeland Security (DHS)
Paul Wilson. Acting Chief Privacy Officer/Chief FOIA Officer
The Privacy Office: 245 Murray Drive SW, Building 410 Stop-0655V
Washington DC. 20528-0655
 
Attention:
 
This is to intimate you of a very important information which will be of a
great help to redeem you from all the difficulties you have been
experiencing in getting your TEN MILLION UNITED
STATES DOLLARS ($10.000 000 USD) long over due payment to excessive
demand for money from you by both corrupt Bank officials and Courier
Companies after which your fund remain unpaid to you.
 
 
I am Paul Wilson,a highly placed official of the homeland security
united state.
 
It may interest you to know that reports have reached our
office by so many correspondences on the uneasy way which people like you
are treated by Various Banks and Courier Companies across Europe,
and Asia and we have decided to put a stop to that and that is why I was
appointed to handle your transaction here in Washington DC. 20528-0655 United
State.
 
You are hereby advised not to remit further payment to any institutions
with respect to your transaction as your fund will be transferred to you
directly from our source. I hope this is clear. Any action contrary to
this instruction is at your own risk. Take Note: Since a special
payment arrangement has been made to TRANSFER this fund to you therefore,
you are to choose the best option for you to receive your fund.
Please Choose From The Below Optional Payment Preferences Of Receiving
Your Fund:
1. Online Banking Wire Transfer
2. Cash Or Check Delivery.
3.ATM MASTER VISA CARD.
 
CONTACT THE DIRECT OFFICER IN CHARGE
 
Office Name:U.S Department Of Homeland Security (DHS)
Chief FOIA Officer: Paul Wilson
Email Address: hmls.gov@usa.com
 
You are advised to furnish this office with your bank details information to
enable us open up communication with you regarding the release of your
fund immediately:
 
 
 
Lastly, the associated fees of $200,00 has been negotiated
with the Head of Administrative  Bank of Wahsington DC which will
be sent in the name of the below agent assigned by the Department of
Homeland Security United States.
 
So you are hereby advice to go ahead and send the $200,usd with this name
below through western union money transfer.
and get back to us with western union payment information to enable us
forward it to Head of Administrative  Bank of Washingto DC. to enable
him start the processing of your Online Banking Account registration for
immediate deposition of your total compensated fund to enable transfer to
your bank account details you are going to send to this our office today.
Make sure you send the money as soon as you received this our email and
get back to us with the western union payment information to enable us
commence for your payment today.
 
RECEIVER'S Name: Cynthia Jones
COUNTRY: USA
TEST QUESTION: IN GOD
TEST ANSWER: WE BELIEVE
MTCN................
Sender's Name.......
State..........
City..........
Country...........
Amount to Be Sent: $200 USD
 
Warns Regards
Paul Wilson
Debt Reconciliation Officer, Department of Homeland Security U.S

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