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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: EMBASSY WASHINGTON <info.nigeriaembassywashington@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: officialmemo@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:37:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS:


CONGRATULATIONS:
Sir/Ma,
 
In effect to the scam victims rehabilitation exercise,you have been approved a part payment  Us$1.750,000.00(One Million,Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) as this e-mail address emerged winner in the first quarter payment of 2010.
The Payment has been approved via pre-paid Visa Card which is in partnership with Visa International and can be used through any e-payment channel(ATM and POS terminal) where visa is accepted.
The Card has been upgraded by our issuing bank in your favour.You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of US$5,000.00 is permitted daily as it is duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the ATM Center of your choice nearest to you.
Kindly advised to contact the World Bank office in Nigeria as below
 
Name:Dr.Edward Jack
Tel:+234-803-476-9437
Email:wauditors@gmail.com
 
You are to contact him with your delivery address and a delivery fee of $125 only hence the programming and activation of the card has been concluded in your favour.
We sincerely appologized for any inconviniences and urge you to act as advised to enable you receive your payment.
 
Sincerely,
Ambassador BaBagana Wakil,
DEPUTY NIGERIAN CHIEF OF MISSION WASHINGTON DC,
MY PRIVATE TEL:(202)5912211.

Anti-fraud resources: