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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: US DEPARTMENT OF STATE <dekuk@dekuk.cnc.net>
Reply-To: cot007@ymail.com
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:30:16 -0500 (EST)
Subject: USD1,000,000.00 delivering through ATM

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Department of Finance and Administration
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Email: cot007@ymail.com

Dear Sir,

Acting in our capacity as the Apex body authorised by the US Government to reconcile foreign payments, we are pleased to inform you that full clearance has been granted for the release of the sum of $1,000,000.00 dollars being a partial payment release.

Please note that your payment has been approved for immediate release and transfer into your bank account as the sole beneficiary with irrevocable Payment Router #: BOA-XXCL-753-082-11 issued and signed by the Chief Financial Officer; to enhance our domestic security; and this payment has been authourized to be paid out to you via issuance of an ATM CARD through the Bank of America.

For your confirmation, the $1,000,000.00 dollars has been programmed into an ATM PLATINUM CARD and it is ready for delivery to your address via FEDEX. However, the delivery of the ATM CARD to you via FEDEX is free because all fees connected with the delivery via FEDEX has been prepaid, but a "U.S Anti-Terrorism Clearance Certificate" must be obtained from the Financial Services Authourity (FSA) for a fee of $220.00 dollars before the ATM CARD delivery can go through. Hence, you are advised to send the sum of $220.00 dollars via Western Union or MoneyGram with the understated details:

Name of Receiver: Dorothy Weber
Destination: Ringgold, GA 30736 USA
Test Question: Favorite Day
Answer: Friday
Amount: $220.00 USD

Please ensure that you confirm the details of your delivery address, as well as send the details of payment for the $220.00 dollars via email as soon as you have received this message.

Your immediate attention and compliance will be in your best interest.

Yours truly,

Mr. Dave Jefferson Jr.
Commissioner, Centralized Accounting

Anti-fraud resources: