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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: "(IMF) International Monetary Fund" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rppc@gmx.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:41:21 +0700
Subject: DELIVERY NOTIFICATION.

(IMF) INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
MONETARY AND CAPITAL MARKETS DEPARTMENT
EMAIL: rppc@gmx.com, rehabproject@gmx.com
 
ATTN:
 
IN ATTENDANCE
I JOYCE DAVIES (SECRETARY)
 
AT THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE (IMF), EMBARKING ON HER REHABILITATION PROGRAMME/PROJECT, HELD ON 26TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2010, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE PROPOSED FROM THE CHAIRMAN:
 
RESOLUTION:
·        Reports have reached us by so many personalities/organizations on the scrupulous way which they are being treated by various false bank officials, private firms and delivery companies across Europe to Africa and Asia and we have decided to put a stop to this. Foreigners are not receiving their instrument to receive their funds and gratuity because they are not able to meet up with the financial demands imposed. We are also aware of the fact that our agency is used by these corrupt officials with the aim to extort hard earned money and we are also using this medium to sound a warning.
 
·        Putting a stop to this we ensure that victims in any country receive their funds/gratuity in (cheques/bank drafts/ATM cards) once and for all. All victims are now advised not to respond to the emails from false officials who claim to represent any delivery company/bank in West Africa. All victims are hereby advised not to remit further payment to anyone in respect to the transaction with them that is false. Any action contrary to these instructions is at his or her own risk.
 
In conclusion (Cheque/Bank draft/ATM card) would be brought to the rightful owners by our representative once and for all. Our priority for this service is for us to get the package to the rightful owners, as we do not know the amount in it as no one has been authorized to open them because they are sealed and kept with our security department for safe keeping. We have your package here with our security department which we want to send to you so contact directly by sending us an email immediately but at your own convenience and you will be given the basic instructions on how you will receive your funds and a verification form will be sent to you immediately. Our terms and condition apply. Help us to serve the world better.
 
THANKS,
PERSONAL SECRETARY
MISS. JOYCE DAVIES

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