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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: "Barclays Bank PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barclaysbankplc_wiretransfer@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 12 May 2014 18:08:06 +0530
Subject: Re: Payment Notice,

Barclay's Bank Plc -Foreign Operation Dept
1 Churchill place, London
E14 5hp, United Kingdom
Tel: +447017049446
Email: dr_robert.brown@financier.com
===================
 
Dear Honorable Beneficiary,
 
We have been instructed by the board of directors of united nations in
conjunction with the British ministry of finance to transfer your
outstanding inheritance fund worth US$10,700,000.00, please kindly get
back to us via email below with your full personal information to enable
us commence immediately with the transfer into your bank account.
 
 
Your Full Name: _____ Your Contact Address: ______
Your Phone Number: _____ Your Age/Occupation: _______
Next of Kin Name & Address: ______
Nationality: _________ Scan copy of your Identification: ______
 
 
Signed,
Yours Faithfully
Dr. Robert, Brown
Remittance Director.

Anti-fraud resources: