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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: "Prof Charles Soludo" <prof1@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: csoludo02@excite.com
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 18:11:03 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC PAYMENT


*CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC PAYMENT*
*OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR*
*CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA*
*ASO ROCK VILLA, ABUJA(F.C.T)*
* *
*Attn: Beneficiary *
* *
*I am Prof Charles Soludo, The Executive Gov Central Bank Of Nigeria. I am
delighted to inform you that the contract panel, which concluded in Abuja
just released your name amongst contractors to benefit from the Diplomatic
Payment. This Panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated
contract claims, contracts and over-invoiced payment as the effect has eaten
deep into the economy of our dear country. *
* *
*However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is
still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid contractor while auditing
was going on. Your contract file was forwarded to my office by the auditors
as unclaimed fund. We wish to use this medium to inform you that for the
time being Federal Government of Nigeria have stopped further payment
through bank to bank transfer due to contractors numerous petitions to
United Nations against Nigeria on wrong payment and diversion of contract
funds to different account. *
* *
*In this case, we are going to send your contract part payment of One
Million, five hundred thousand United States dollars only to you via
diplomatic cash payment. Note that the money will be packaged as a
consignment which will be sealed with synthetic nylon and padded with
machine.Please you don't have to worry for anything, as the transaction is
100% risk free. The Diplomatic agents will accompany the box to your house
address. So all you need to do now, is to send to me your full contact
informations as stated below. *
* *
*1. Your full name*
*2. Full address*
*3. Telephone Number(cell/mobile)*
*3. Profession, age and marital status*
*4. Copy of drivers license for identification*
* *
*However, the Diplomatic agents will call you immediately they arrive at the
airport in your country airport. Please kindly get back to me with the above
requested informations so that we can proceed.*
* *
*Note: The diplomat does not know the original contents of the boxes. What l
declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film Materials
and jewelries. I did not tell them that it is money, so do not reveal it to
them for security reason. If they call you and ask you the contents, please
tell them the same thing Ok. Confirm the receipt of this message and send
the requirements needed to conclude your consignment delivery to your
doorstep.*
* *
*Please respond urgently because the diplomats would be scheduled to leave
as soon as we hear from you.*
* *
*Thank you.*
*Yours Sincerely,*
*Prof Charles Soludo,*

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