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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: "Dr Andrew J. Pocock." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <markwilliams246@yahoo.es>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 09:22:40 -0400
Subject: REF:FRAUD VICTIM

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
United Kingdom Embassy , Benin.
The British School of Cotonou,
Haie Vive, 08 BP 0352,
Cotonou, Benin.
 
 
Attn Sir,
                       
The Economic Community Of West African states (ECOWAS) under the African Union (AU) have recompensed you for the fraudulent acts perpetrated upon you by her citizens.
 
Following the meeting held in Benin on the 7th of January 2013 by representatives of the African Union / ECOWAS countries' Embassies with the ECOWAS chairman, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, and the African Union Chairman President Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin Republic, a total of $10,500.000.00 {Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) has been allocated to you by the panel as compensation for your trauma and losses.
 
Victims are lured to such false transactions as contract payment schemes, Next of kin / inheritance claims, lottery and fake game wins.
 
Note that investigations by the task force indicates that you were defrauded as indicated by your email profile and listed by the FBI, Scotland Yard and the Homeland Securities, through email scam by fraudsters.
 
In acknowledgement of this notice, you are required then to make available to the Bank, the following details to effect the processing and release of your compensation amount by the bank:
 
(i) Your current phone number
(ii) Your contact address 
(iii) Copy of your International passport
 
The above Council instructed that the method of payment should be via ATM.
In view of this, you are thus directed to contact Mr. Mark Williams (in Ecobank) through his contact info below:
 
NAME: Mr. Mark Williams
TEL.NO: +229 99229946
EMAIL: markwilliams246@yahoo.es
 
For final validation and to ensure that your ATM prepaid card is delivered to you.
 
You are therefore advised to discontinue further communication with fraudsters to forestall any cancellation of your allotment.
 
 
Yours faithfully.
Mrs. Pauline Collins
For Dr Andrew J. Pocock. (Ambassador).

Anti-fraud resources: