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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: "Dr.Mrs.Asha-Rose Migiro" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsasha1234@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 06:37:51 -0800
Subject: Attention:Honorable Beneficiary,

 
Office of Deputy Secretary-General
United Nations
www.un.org/sg/
 
Attention:Honorable Beneficiary,
        
We are pleased to inform you that U.N and World Bank has scrutinize your over due Winning/Inheritance fund and recommend for immediate payment.
 
This was because of the series of petitions received by some agencies for non payment of funds by some countries.
 
Your case has been investigated/verified and a payment of USD$5.5M (Five Million five hundred thousand United States dollars only) has been recommended for immediate payment to your account.
 
On receipt of your reply to this email we shall direct the paying bank to contact you for immediate payment via telegraphic wire transfer (TT) only.
 
The inconveniences this delay caused you is highly regretted.
 
Yours faithfully,
Dr.Mrs.Asha-Rose Migiro
Office of Deputy Secretary-General
 

Anti-fraud resources: