joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "POST OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <post.headoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2016 14:22:41 +0200
Subject: FROM REGULAR MAIL POST OFFICE

Attention Dear,

Dear customer, i am the post master of the regular mail post office ( Head Office) i would like to let you know that you have an ATM card and certified cheque here in my office and our post man is ready to mail your items to your address immediately we hear from you. Remember, your valid address and valid telephone number is very essential in this shipping.

Here is the information required from you for the shipping of your ATM card and cheque.

1. Your Full Name ========
2. Your Direct Cell No ========
3. Your Postal address ========
4. Your City ========
5. Your ID ========

Sincerely
Mark Ben
Post Office
Call office line +229 686 253 88

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

Anti-fraud resources: