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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: "Ghana" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <debt.reconciliation.committee@ecowas-gha.org>
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:00:22 +0100
Subject: Attn: Honorable Creditor

Attn: Honorable Creditor,
Dear Sir,
After a meeting held by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) we are pleased to inform you that your name has been gazetted in our manifest to be paid your due entitlements.

This is as a result of irregularities and misappropriations by the officials both in the government and banking sector within Africa the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) are in collaboration with the World Bank to pay all debts owed to foreign creditors within Africa through our offshore payee bank UNIBANK Ghana Limited.

In this vain, you are required to re-confirm your information to enable us update and key test our database for possible wire transfer.

1.1 Your full names
1.2 Your address
1.3 Tel and fax number
1.4 Your passport copy

As soon as the above details are received, the Legal Review Department shall be commissioned to process and obtain a Transfer Approval from the Republic of Ghana Finance Department, necessary and in line with Government Policy as it affects all Foreign Payments.

Looking forward to hear from you soon.

Best Regards,
Mr. James Victor Gbeho
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Accra Ghana West Africa
Tel: +233-22413508



This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. It may not be used or disclosed except for the purpose for which it has been sent. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify us quoting the sender's address. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely on this e-mail and must delete the message and any documents. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet e-mail for messages of this kind. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) accepts no liability or responsibility for any onward transmission or use of e-mails and attachments having left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) domain.

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