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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: <winnings.uklotto@organizer.net>
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 17:24:28 +0200
Subject: *** UK LOTTO WINNINGS NOTICE ****


12 BRIDGE STREET,
STAINES MIDDLESEX TW18 4TP
UNITED KINGDOM.
FROM: THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR OF PROMOTIONS,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF: AST341739DS

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today of winners of
the NATIONAL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS held on 26th October 2005 You / your company, attached to ticket number 013-2316-2002-477, with serial number A025-09 drew the lucky numbers 37-13-34-85-56-42, and consequently won in category B. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of US$2,500,000.00 in cash credited to file REF NO. REF: AST341739DS. This is from total prize money of US$15,000,000.00 shared among the six (6) international winners in the category B. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 30,000 names from Australia, New Zealand, America, Asia, Europe, USA and North America as part our International Promotions Program, which is conducted monthly. Your fund is now deposited with the Finance and Security section and insured in your name. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award strictly from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your account. T!
his is
part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program. We hope with a part of you prize, you will participate in our end of year high stakes US$1.3 billion International lotto. To begin your claim, please contact your claims officer immediately:

MR PICCAN MOORE
CLAIM AGENT
Tel:0044-704-011-7587
Fax:0044-700-597-8819
Email: piccanmoore@marfino.net

For due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice, kindly provide him with the following information:
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference number in every one of your correspondences with your officer. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims officer as soon as possible.

Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.

Sincerely,
THE DIRECTOR OF PROMOTIONS
MRS GLADYS COOPER
THE NATIONAL LOTTERY
N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to disqualification.
*************************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
Solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
Office Of National Lottery.
*************************************************************************


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