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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: ecobank benin <eco_bank_beninrepublic@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:07:01 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: INHERITANCE/COMPENSATION FROM ECO BANK PLC


ATTENTION BENEFICIARY,
 
This is official message from THE DIRECTOR OF Foreign OPERATIONS CREDIT SETTLEMENT ECO BANK PLC.
Please be informed that we received notice from one Mr. Justin McDonald who said he is your family Lawyer from United States of America.
 
He stated that you directed him to make a claim of your ATM CARD Issued by ECO BANK PLC with the PIN CODE for full ACTIVATION immediately you were unable to contact us because of your illness for over 5months now.
 
As soon as we get confirmations from you the ATM CARD will be activated and handed over to him with the PIN CODE. If the claim (Mr. Justin McDonald) is false, please do not hesitate to forward your details for the delivery of the ATM CARD to you as stated bellow:
 
1) Your Full Name:………  ………
2) Address:………………
3) City:………
4) Country:………
5)Telephone Number:…………
6) A copy of your ID picture
 
NOTE: THE ATM VISA CARD IS YOUR APPROVED PAYMENT OF US$2.8MILLION LOADED INTO ITS FOR YOUR INHERITANCE/COMPENSATION.

But if you still want us to transfer your money through bank wire transfer, then forward your bank details to the bank manager MR.JOSEPH AKUBEZE, E-mail:josephakubu.manager@globomail.com, Tel: +229 662 711 62. If you choose ATM VISA CARD forward your address to enable send your ATM CARD to you.
 
Congratulations once again.
 
Best Regards,
 
Mr. VICTOR C. WILLIAMS
DIRECTOR ECO BANK PLC BENIN





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