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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: "Ben. Bernanke" <hardy@w51byi6zd.homepage.t-online.de>
Reply-To: <infoboa_121@skymail.mn>
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2011 09:17:37 -0700
Subject: Urgent; Highly Important

INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF ($10.5 MILLION)
 
Attention: Fund Beneficiary
 
This is the second time we are notifying you about this said fund.
After due vetting and evaluation of your Inheritance file which The
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in conjunction with the
UNITED NATION and Ministry of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Forwarded and contracted us to see to your immediate payment  of the sum
of $10.5 MILLION from their Account with us.
 
We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going
through hard ways by paying a lot of charges to see to the release of your
fund ($10.5 MILLION) which has been delayed and has been the handiwork of
some miscreant elements from Nigeria. In view of this fact, We advice
that you stop further communication with any  correspondence from Nigeria
because only this bank now has the legal right to pay Unclaimed funds.
 
You don't have to pay any charges to receive your Contract/Inheritance
fund anymore as you have met up with the whole requirements, The only
thing required from you is to obtain Non-Resident Clearance and the
payment registration note which can only be obtained from the office
of the head of operation United Nation west Africa though we will forward
his contact details to you as soon you confirm the receipt of this message.
 
We will help you to see that you obtain the form so that our bank, The
Bank of America will effect immediate transfer of your Inheritance sum
($10.5 MILLION) into your designated bank account or issue you a valid
ATM CARD valued at the same amount. Should you follow up our directives,
your fund will reflect in your account within five Bank working days from
the day you obtain this certificate. Do not go through anybody again but
through this Bank if you really want your fund.
 
Finally, you are advice to forward to this bank the following information
to enable us verify your data with us before proceeding with the release
of your funds.
 
1. Your Full Name
2. Your Contact address
3. Your telephone numbers
4. Your sex
5. Your age
6. Your occupation
 
Upon the confirmation of your details, We will furnish you with further
details that will help you obtain the required certificates from the
United Nation.
 
You are required to quickly respond urgently without delay.
 
Faithfully yours,
 
MR. BEN S. BERNANKE
Head, Electronic Payments Unit
Federal Reserve Bank, New York
Chairman Federal Reserve Bank New York

Anti-fraud resources: