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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA <chwh123@live.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:05:07 -0400
Subject: UNPAID FOREIGN BENEFICIARIES




UNPAID FOREIGN BENEFICIARIES.
FROM : GODWIN MBACHU
SENIOR MANAGER, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

Following the protest of the International Community, The World Bank, IMF and the instruction by the President (MUSA YAR'DUA, FEDERAL REPUBLIC, NIGERIA) that all outstanding forieghn debts especially over-due contract payment should be released to the benefeciaries forthwith unconditionally.

From the records of outstanding debts due for payment with the Federal government of Nigeria your name was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding, who have not received their payments. We wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be Released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is USD$10,000,000.00.
Please re-confirm to me if this is in-line with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, Mobile amd Fax number.
3) Company name, Position and Address.
4) Profession, Age and Marital status.

As soon as this information IS received, your payment will be made to you in a Certified Bank Draft or Electric Telegraphic Wire Transfer from the Foreign Remittance Dept. of the Central Bank of Nigeria immediately without delay.
You are to write back immediately and state how you wish you receive your funds so that we can pay you immediately without any delay.
THANKS.
YOURS SINCERELY,
GODWIN MBACHU
SENIOR DIRECTOR
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

Anti-fraud resources: