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: Mr Maria Willson <madridmlottery@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: lottoryesp@netscape.net
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 15:58:20 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATION


MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
PLAZA DE COLON E-29080, MADRID SPAIN.
FROM THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/ PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF:EG/2551256003/86
BATCH NO:0007570234


Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the
Lottery Winners International programs held on the 17th
of Oct. 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket
number 20511465897-0186 with serial number 472-971453
drew lucky numbers 8-66-97-22-76-00 which consequently
won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been
approved for a lump sum pay out of EUR750,000.00 (Seven
Hundred And Fifty Thousand Euros)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Your fund is now deposited with the finance company
and insured in your name, Due to mixed up of some
numbers and names we ask that you keep this award a
top secret from public notice until your claim has
been processed and your money remitted to your account
as this is part of our security protocol to avoid
double claiming of unwarranted taking of advantage of
this program by participants.
All participants were selected through a computer
ballot system drawn from 25,000 names from Asia,
Australia, America, Africa, New Zealand, Europe and
Middle East, as part of our International promotions
program.
To begin your claim, please contact your claims agent,
MR JUAN JOSE the Foreign Service manager of GLOBAL
TRUST AGENCY On Tel 0034- 619-187- 458 for the
processing and remittance of your prize money to a
designated account of your choice.
MR JUAN JOSE
GLOBAL TRUST AGENCY
121 MADRID CENTRAL
SPAIN.

PHONE: +34 619 187 458
EMAIL: lottoryesp@netscape.net
Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later
than 16th of Nov. 2005. After this date, all funds
will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA Y
HACIENDA as unclaimed
Note: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and
complications, please remember to quote your reference
and batch number in every of your correspondence with
us or your agent.
Further more, should you have any change of address or
questions do inform your claims official as soon as
possible.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do
inform our agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff
and thank you for being part of our promotional
program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically
disqualified.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs Maria wilson
Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: