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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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: fedexdiplomiatiiccomp.any21@hotmail.fr
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 15:01:41 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GOOD NEWS , YOU HAVE A PACKAGE WITH FEDEX BENIN


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: fredana34@yahoo.com



- My Dear Good Friend, How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the fee for your Cheque. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque has expired or getting near to the expirey Date and Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central Bank of West African States(BCEAO) told me that before the cheque will get to your hand that it will expire. So I told him to cash the US$2.5 MILLION US DOLLARS to cash payment to avoid losing this funds. However, all the necessary arrangement of delivering the US$2.5 MILLION US DOLLARS in cash was made with FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. in Cotonou Benin Republic, Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central Bank of West African States(BCEAO) Cotonou had to package the sum of US$2.5 MILLION US DOLLARS in cash for you. Then he also agreed to help me to Register the Consignment with FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. Infact I\'m happy that every arrengment I made was successful. As for our agreement with the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES C!
OMPANY LTD. they promised that your consignment Box will Depart Benin Republic this week, But the Director of the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. said that they need your contact information to able them meet up with your Delivery immediately the Diplomat Agent arrived to your Country. Please write a letter of application to the given address below. ATTN: Rev. Maxwell Shargan TEl: : +229-978-551-80 EMAIL: info. (fedexdiplomiatiiccomp.any21@hotmail.fr) Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they need from you. 1.YOUR FULL NAME 2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS. 3.YOUR CURRENT HOME/MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER. 4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE. 5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director general of FEDEX COURIER SERVICES Company LTD, with their address given stated above. Note. FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD.don\'t know the contents of the Box. !
I registered it as a BOX of AFRICAN CRAFT WORKS. They don\'t know it c
ontents money. this is to avoid them delaying the BOX Delivery. Don\'t let them know that its money that is in that Box. You call the Director of the company with this line: +229-978-551-80 Immedietely. Thanks and Remain Blessed. Barrister Goodwill williams


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