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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: "MR, LABARAN MAKU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Citibank.usa@plc.cz.cc>
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 16:19:29 +0200
Subject: ATTN: BONAFIDE BENEFICIARY

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
From:"The Desk Of The Presidency"
Address: Aso - Rock Villa "Presidential Guest House, Wuse Zone II
Abuja - Nigeria.
Our Ref: FGN/PRE/VP/XNX/2013.

ATTN: BONAFIDE BENEFICIARY,

AFTER THE INVESTIGATIONS IN CBN AND OTHER BANKS IN NIGERIA FEW DAYS
AGO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,
NOTICED THAT YOU HAVE WASTED A LOT OF MONEY IN
REGARDS TO THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND IN NIGERIA DUE TO
SOME CORRUPT STAFFS/OFFICIALS IN NIGERIAN BANKS.

SEQUEL TO THAT,THE PRESIDENT(GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN) HAS ORDERED MY
OFFICE TO CONTACT THE NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR IN WASHINGTON DC AND CITI BANK IN CALIFORNIA,
WHICH I HAVE DONE IN ORDER TO DEBIT THE SUM OF $5M FROM OUR OIL RESERVE ESCROW
ACCOUNT,THEN CREDIT IT INTO YOUR NOMINATED ACCOUNT AS YOUR PART PAYMENT.

THEREFORE, YOU ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT CITI BANK IN CALIFORNIA THROUGH
THEIR CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS GIVEN BELOW:
( citibank.usa@plc.cz.cc ) THEN FURNISH THEM WITH YOUR FULL BANK
DETAILS FOR IMMEDIATE TRANSFER OF YOUR $5M.

BEST REGARDS,
MR, LABARAN MAKU,
(INFORMATION MINISTER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA)

Anti-fraud resources: