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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: Roland Smith <thomas@tharmer.wanadoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:53:28 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: U.N Cash Grant Funds Transfer.


ATTN: Beneficiary,

My office is in receipt of your email. This is to inform you that we received a credit advice from the UNITED NATION CASH GRANT PROMOTION for the sum of $420,000.00 (USD) to be credited to your account. You do not have an operational account with this bank (Marxcon Trust Bank), your funds have been lodged in a suspense account pending the activation of an account. The Accounts Department has commence the setting up of your Online Account.

This means you are required to set up an Online Account with this Bank where your funds will be lodge for onward transfer to your local Bank Account. At the completion of the setting up of your Online Account a Pin Code and Account Number will be email or Fax to you, to enable you log onto your Online Account and access the statement of your new Account Online.

It will also interest you to know that the initial opening deposit will also reflect in your new Account. Which means that the net balance in your new account will be a summation of your Cash Grant and the opening deposit. You are at liberty to make total transfer of your money in your Account at our Bank to your local Bank Account if you wish to discontinue banking with us (Marxcon Trust Bank). You are expected to set up the Premium Account that will get your cash transferred to you.

Premium Online Account:
a) Opening Deposit................ £180.00
b) Activation Charges ............£ 70.00
TOTAL £250.00 (Two hundred and fifty pounds sterling).
Transfer Duration........... ...........24 hrs.

Do know that this is strictly an Online Banking processes and procedures aimed at given our highly esteemed customers, unrivalled services, considering the amount of money that is involve and also to guarantee a safe, successful and a hitch free transfer of funds. You are also required to scan and send a photo page of your means of identification (International Passport or Drivers License) as email attachment. Upon receipt of your mail I shall be advising you on the payment modalities for the activation of your Online Account and the transfer completion of your funds.

I shall await your indulgence so that we can commence as soon as possible the setting up of your Online Account.

Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.

Yours' Faithfully,
Roland Smith
Account Officer.

Anti-fraud resources: