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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: "Maureen Jefferson" <paymentprocessingunit@strikermillion.net>
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 03:17:48 +0000
Subject: Note.

Good Day to you Raphaela,
I got your mail and am sorry for you not being able to reach me on phone. I
will advise you to please make sure you follow my instructions and
directives as regards to the claiming of your won prize.
First we are to open a transfer file for you here in our office so that the
clearance process can commence without any further delay.
I will try to call you latter today and hope the call does go through.
before then these are the details that are needed from you to start with the
clearance process, you are required to send them over at once, i will be
attending to them as soon as i get back from the church that will be in the
next 5 hours.

Required information
PERSONNAL DATAS
FIRST NAME…………………………
LAST NAME…………………………
MARITAL STATUS…………………
AGE……………………………………
SEX……………………………………
COUNTRY……………………………
NATIONALITY………………………
OCCUPATION………………………
ADDRESS…………………………
TELEPHONE NO………………………
FAX NO………………………………
NEXT OF KIN………………………

NOTE AND INDICATE YOUR CHOICE OF PAYMENT
1) BANK TRANSFER
2) CERTIFIED CHECK (Home Delivery).

Congratulations once more and good luck.

Regards
Mrs. Maureen Jefferson.


Anti-fraud resources: