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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: "U.S AMBASSADOR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <terrencemcculey@rediffmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:38:57 -0500
Subject: DID YOU AUTHORIZED MR. VANCE TO CLAIM YOUR FUND?

 
>From the Office of Ambassador Terence P. McCulley
United States of American Ambassador to the
Federal Republic of Nigeria
 
Attention:
 
 
I was informed this morning by the Alhaji Umaru Bello Girei, the Remittance Director Central Bank of Nigeria about two men in the persons of Mr. michaelVance and an Attorney Barrister John Williams, of J. Williams & Associates.
 
 
These men had approached the Central Bank of Nigeria, with a "Power of Attorney, claiming that due to some inevitable circumstances beyond your control (ILL HEALTH) that you would not be able to conclude or carry out your obligation to receive your entitlements from the Central Bank of Nigeria and therefore wish that your fund be transferred to your friend Mr. Michael Vance from USA, who is presently taking care of your businesses here in New York.
 
 
This Fund valued at US$10 Million had been programmed to be transferred to a bank account with the Capital One Bank. Find the Bank Account information as they have presented to the Intercontinental Bank Plc below;
 
 
CAPITAL ONE BANK
Capital One, N.A.
115 Forest Avenue
Glen Cove, New York 11542
Account Number: 5800394491
Account Name: michael Vance
Swift Code:  NFBKUS 33
ABA  Routing Number: 021407912
 
 
The Central Bank of Nigeria had called my attention to this to find out if you're really sick and had given this authorization. So if you're not aware of this please get back to this office and let me know so I can notify the Central Bank of Nigeria immediately to stop the transfer.
 
Finally I will want you to advice on this and get to this office with the following information:
 
 
1) Your full name.  
2) Phone, fax and mobile  
3) Company name, position and address.  
4) Profession,  
 
 
And Also confirm your interest in working with me so that these fund will be transferred to you as all modalities will be carefully worked out and details
will be given to you once I receive your response to this email.
 
All response should be through <terrencemcculey@live.com> Please copy the email and paste so that you will not make any mistake.
 
 
Best Regards,
Ambassador Terence P. McCulley
United States of American Ambassador to the
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources: