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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: "FROM INTERNATIONAL POLICE UNIT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <secretarychikaateli@yahoo.cn>
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2011 01:03:24 -0400
Subject: RE:REGARDING THE RECOVERY OF YOUR LOST FUNDS

FROM INTERNATIONAL POLICE UNIT, RE:REGARDING THE RECOVERY OF YOUR LOST FUNDS
MONEY.Call us @ our zonal office for more clearification +234 8091776284
RE-OUTSTANDING PAYMENT
ATTN :  BENEFICIARY,
 
This is to inform you of your long overdue Payment outstanding in our records. We saw your name in the Central Computer among  list of unpaid inheritance claims individuals and have to update your information?s through this email contact for immediate  confirmation.Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-payment of US$2.500, 000 million (Two  million and five hundred thousand United State Dollars)and it has been approved already for payment months ago.
 
However we received an email from one (Mrs Katherine Louise johnson) who told us that he is your next of kin and that you  died in a car accident four months ago. He has also submitted his account information?s to the office department for transfer  of the fund to him as your Successor. We are now verifying by contacting your email address as we have in our records before  we can make the transfer into his account and for us to conclude confirmation if you are dead or not.
 
Please, confirm response immediately to the International Police Unit Agency before we can effect release of the Outstanding  payment against your name listed out. Upon this, I request You send your full personal information as soon as possible to  enable this department finalize the transfer of the fund release to your nominated account. This department needs the  following information?s from you urgently.contact INETRPOL JOHN BROWN via his private  E-mail: secretarychikaateli@yahoo.cn
1, Full Names
2, Telephone or Fax Number
3, Contact Address
4, Age
5, Occupation
6, Sex
7, A copy of your drivers license
Thank you for your cooperation
Interpol John Brown
 
Interpol is the world's largest international police organization, with 186 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates  cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to  prevent or combat international crime.
 
Interpol aims to facilitate international police co-operation even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular  countries. Action is taken within the limits of existing laws in different countries and in the spirit of the Universal  Declaration of Human Rights. Interpol's constitution prohibits 'any intervention or activities of a political, military,  religious or racial character.' Interpol's Leadership The President of Interpol and the Secretary General work closely  together in providing strong leadership and direction to the Organization

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