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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: "DR. ARTHUR GIBSON" <hoiltt5761@att.net>
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:45:42 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary.




 WORLD BANK ASSISTEDSITTING PRUDENTLY IN THE SOUTH AFRICA PRIME FINANCIA INSTITUTION(RESERVED BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA) 253 Vorna valley avenue, midrand, Gauteng South Africa post code 1686. TEL: 00277 39069044, FAX: 002786 605 9990Attn: Beneficiary. RE: APPROVED UNCLAIMED LOTTERY PRIZE.  Following the urgent signal we received from Australian and United Kingdom Lotto Lottery Incorporation, with ticket No.ASL/8701/LPRC, winning No. 570, Ref. No. 479845687, serial No. 00982 and bonus No. 55510, concerning your winning prize deposited in their reserve account with the Bank of England, Reserve Bank of America and Reserve Bank of South Africa.  During the scrutiny and vetting of your files, it was discovered from the records that outstanding payments were delayed by the accredited payment agents and their officials. In the light of the outcome of the Board of Directors? Meeting few days back, be informed that your name is among the list to receive their
payment which has been delayed.  We wish to officially notify you that your lottery winning prize money of Two Million Five hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$2,500,000.00) is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.  Kindly re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceeds and finalize your fund remittance without further delays.  1) Full name 2)Complete address 3)Direct contact Telephone number 3) Company’s name & address 4)Age & Marital Status  As soon as the above information is received, a beneficiary form will be dispatched to you by email attachment for your completion and further return to us and you will be duly communicated on the procedures / mode of payment which is in line with the agreement reached with the Australian and United Kingdom Lotto Lottery Incorporation As a matter of urgency, all correspondence must be through this email: (arthurgibsonsa@yahoo.com)  Yours
Sincerely, DR. ARTHUR GIBSON D/L: 00277 39069044 FOR: WORLD BANK

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