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: "MRS MEG McMILLIAN'S OFFICE" <megmilly12@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:02:45 -0400
Subject:
=?windows-1256?Q?ATTN_;Mrs_Olga_Elisabeth_Bijl-Faber(YOU_HAVE_BEEN_VERIFI?=
=?windows-1256?Q?ED_TO_CONTACT_OUR_BANK)=FE?=



Ref: UK/7803XI/04Batch: 03/BT25/0306
ATTN ;Mrs Olga Elisabeth Bijl-Faber
RE: Referral Code: EQ36Y07I write to inform you of the receipt of your claims form. However, after a careful consideration and verification of the information, we have gone ahead to process your claims and I am very pleased to inform you that approval has been given and our corresponding bank has been advised accordingly.Further to your application of claim of your lottery prize awards winning be further advised that your application for payment has been approved for immediate remittance of your funds via International swift transfer/Bank certified draft as cash payment is meant for resident winners only and our corresponding bank has been advised accordingly.Find here with the contact information of our corresponding bank quoting your referral code: Pls note that the bank MUST be contacted as soon as you get this email , through the emails below==================================================================BUTTERFIELD PRIVATE BANK TEL: +44 702 402 3376,+44 702 402 0893 F!
AX: +44 870 974 8431 EMAIL: customercare_bfpbank@yahoo.co.uk, CONTACT: MR PETER HOWARD================================================================== So please you are advised to contact the bank with effect from today with the above email/phone/fax informing them that you have been referred by Mrs. Meg McMillian, You must not forget to quote the above referral code in your email/fax/call to them becauseyour file will be traced by the code. You should also send your details just to verify what they are to receive from us. Please note that you must follow up by phone calls to ensure your claim is processed on time.Do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.NB; Your amount won is 500 000GBPYour Batch and Ref Numbers are Batch: 03/BT25/0306 & Ref: UK/7803XI/04 The following requirements should be sent to their offices for confirmation and final process for payment.===============================================================1, Reference Number2, Batch N!
umber3, Full Names*4, Bank details .{IMPORTANT}5, A medium of identifi
cation, ie either a copy ofdrivers license or international passport or any otherlegal means of identification.{IMPORTANT}6, Amount Won.7, Contact Phone Numbers================================================================Upon submission of the required information as stated to their offices, you will be cleared for payment from their offices.Note: No deduction whatsoever can be made on your prize money because your prize has been insured to avoid fraudulent activities. You are responsible for the transfer chargesfrom their courier offices. If you do not pay the transfer charges from their offices, your funds will not be transfered to your bank account. Please be informed. You are advisedto comply with their delivery rules and regulations in order to receive your winnings as prompt as possible.Once again, we extend a warm congratulation to you for your lucky prize awards winning which your fate has brought to you and hope you shall be willing to participate in subsequent!
Lottery jackpots. Contact us for further inquiry and assistance (IF ANY). We are at your complete disposal for efficient and reliable services.Yours Faithfully,Mrs. Meg McMillian

You must be 16 or over to play or claim a prize
_________________________________________________________________
Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live Messenger.
http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_042008

Anti-fraud resources: