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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: "FUND PAYMENT" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 2010 21:05:32 -0800
Subject: Information Regarding Your Fund Payment.

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR,
FOREIGN OPERATION DEPARTMENT.
ABUJA-NIGERIA.
   
Dear Fund Beneficiary,
      
I wish to let you know that your payment of  Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars from the Government of Nigeria has been approved  to be paid to you in this final qarter with approved # 1209/10. You're advised now to contact the Manager, National Commercial Bank of Burkina Faso (MR. KOFI ZIMAMMAN) through his email: mregobia@fastwebmail.it with your approved # to enable him pay you immediately.
        
Thanks for adhering this instructions and once again accept our congratulations!
                    
Yours Sincerely.
                             
Sarah Cole (Mrs)
Deputy Governor.

Anti-fraud resources: