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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Mega Lottery" <dec_bankaktq@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 20:54:18 +0100
Subject: Congratulation your mail have won!

Ref. Number: 132/756/4107
Batch Number: 538901537-BB67
Dear Sir/Madam,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Mega Lottery Winners International
programs held on the 5th, Dec, 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket #: 00903228100
serial number # 778009/5 drew (€ 500,000.00,) which was first in the 2nd class of the draws. you are to
receive 500,000.00 Euro (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND Euro ONLY)). Because of mix up in cash pay-outs, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your money (€ 500,000.00) has been fully remitted to you by our accredited pay-point bank. This measure must be adhere to avoid loss of your cash prize - winners of our cash prizes are advised to adhere to these instructions to forestall the abuse of this program by other participants. It's important to note that this draws were conducted formally, and winners are selected through an internet ballot system from 60,000 individual and companies e-mail addresses - the draws are conducted around the world through our internet based ballot system. The promotion is sponsored and promoted by Mega lotteries.
We congratulate you once again. We hope you will use part of it in our next draws; the jackpot winning is € 65million. Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 20 days. After this date all unclaimed cash prize will be forfeited and included in the next sweepstake. Please, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications remember to quote personal and winning numbers in all correspondence with us.
Congratulations once again from all members of Mega Lotteries. Thank you for being part of our promotional program.
For immediate release of your cash prize to you, please kindly contact our Paying Bank
(Deutsche Bank.)
Send them the following:
(I). Your names,
2, Contact telephone and fax numbers
3, Contact Address
4, your winning numbers
5, Quote amount won.

Contact person: Mr. David Wilson
Deutsche Bank Astedam the Netherland
Mail:dec_bank@yahoo.com
Tel: +31-642-510-063
Congratulations once again.

Yours in service,
Mrs. Grace Edward.

Anti-fraud resources: