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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: "Gbenga R. Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamsgbenga01@googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:14:12 -0700
Subject: ATM MASTER CARD PAYMENT.

From the desk of :
Mr.Gbenga R. Williams..
Payment Supervising Officer
Debt reconciliation and verification Committee
Phone:+234 1 666 3090
 
 
OUR REF: PRS/COM/00452/IMP
 
Attn; Beneficiary,
 
 
Going by series of petition received from International Community on the way some officials of some west African states are handling contract/inheritance payment to foreign beneficiaries the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the international monetary fund (IMF) and the world bank has agreed to pay you and other beneficiaries through the Central Bank of West Africa regional office.  here in Lagos Nigeria.
 
 
It was generally agreed that a new method of payment completely different from what is obtainable previously should be adopted for this payment to avert fraud perpetration by officials that will handle the payment process. After a long deliberations it was agreed unanimously that all beneficiaries will receive part of their money through the Automated Teller Machine Card payment method (ATM Master card).
 
 
You will paid a total of One million Five Hundred Thousand United States dollar while the balance will be remited into your Master card in two payments. Kindly and urgently provide us with the information listed below so that we will commence work immediately on your file.
 
 
Your full names:
Address:
Age:
Phone Numbers:
Present Occupation:
Legal identification.
 
 
This information will be used to open an ATM account with our bank fro where the Master ATM debit card will be raised in your favor.
Your prompt response in needed for urgent attention.
 
Sincerely at your service,
Gbenga R. Williams.
Payment Supervising Officer.

Anti-fraud resources: