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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: "ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr_alimark@secretarias.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:07:08 +0200
Subject: ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES

Attention:Beneficiary,
 
 
I have been informed by the CHEVRON/ LTD to anticipate your message as
this office has been assigned to handle the payment of your grant donation
prize and also to alert you that your previous mail was received here on
this office desk and content clearly documented. A cheque has been issued
in your name and we have concluded the processing of all documents that
will
facilitate the clearance of the cheque in your Bank.
 
 
This documents includes the following:
 
 
1.DONATION CHEQUE VALUED THE SUM OF US$8,000,000.00. 2.DONATION
CERTIFICATE FROM THE CHEVRON/TEXACO EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY LTD
(CTEPC).3.CLEAR SOURCE OF FUNDS CERTIFICATES(C.S.F.C.) 4.LETTER OF
AFFIDAVITS FROM THE CANADA HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE, STATING THAT THE
DONATION WAS RECEIVED LEGALLY FROM THE UNIVERSAL DONATION PROGRAMMER, AND
DULY SIGNED BY THE LEGAL ATTORNEY TO THE ECOWAS.
 
 
I want you to indicate once more your mode of delivery for the purpose of
documentation in the ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE.
 
 
DHL Cost of delivery
Mailing: US $250.00
Vat:US $200.00
Insurance:US $200.00
Total:650usd
 
 
FEDEX Cost of delivery
Mailing:US $200.00
VAT US $160.00
Insurance: US $200.00
Total:$US560.00
 
 
All Two options are 48hours delivery after shipment.
 
 
NB: THE INSURANCE FEE (US$200:00) IS ABSOLUTELY COMPULSORY, AND MUST BE
PAID BEFORE THE SHIPMENT OF YOUR PARCEL WHILE THE MAILING FEE SHOULD BE
PAID TO THE DELIVERY AGENT THAT WILL DELIVER YOUR PARCEL TO YOUR
DOORSTEP).
 
 
This is in accordance with section 13(1)(n) of the international gambling
act as adopted in 1993 and amended on 3RD July 2006 by the constitutional
assembly.This is to protectionists and to avoid misappropriation of funds.
 
 
You have to contact PAYMENT STAFF AT THE ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE now with your
information and choice of delivery company among the list above for the
delivery of your package with this information bellow;
 
 
CONTROLLER: MR ALI MARK COMPANY?S
NAME: PAYMENT STAFF ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE CANADA
EMAIL ADDRESS: mr_alimark@secretarias.com
 
 
1, Full Name...........................
2, Address of Residence:.................
3, country from:........................
4, Telephone Number:..................
 
 
Kindly give me a call immediately you receive this mail .
 
 
MR KEVIN WILLIAMS,
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE
 

Anti-fraud resources: