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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: "CITI BANK NEW YORK STATE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: < citibnkdesk22@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:03:47 -0700
Subject: Approval Number: BB-44112-NY

New York State
Citibank (New York State)
Tel: 1 315-849-1640
Fax: 1 603 687-0839
File Number: CT-76-BK990
Approval Number: BB-44112-NY
Attention: Beneficiary,
Re-Notification on your Fund Transfer of $3,000,000.00
Working in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and US Department of Homeland Security, we write to draw your attention to your credit valued at US$3million which received our joint verification and subsequent clearance approval for immediate swift wire transfer into any bank account of your choice or by Certified Bank Draft. We are by this payment advice instructed to inform you to stop further communications with other payment agencies you may have had dealings with in respect of this payment. The reasons are that the money has arrived United States, and there are needs for you to keep off from unscrupulous officials from source who might be doing anything to jeopardize or bring about diversion of your credit or an attempt to frustrate remittance of the above fund into your nominated account.
You are required to provide us with the accurate information to enable us commence with the transfer modalities.
1. Full Name: ..............................................................
2. Address: .................................................................
3. Nationality: .............................................................
4. Age: .........................Date of Birth: .........................
5. Occupation: .............................................................
6. Phone: ...............Phone 2: ...................Fax: ...........
7. State of Origin: ......................Country: ........................
We urge you to adhere strictly to details of this final payment notification order and forward to this office the required information to enable prompt payment of your credit.
Sincerely,
Yours Sincerely,
Ronald F. Franklin.

Anti-fraud resources: