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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: "Mr. Melvin Walter" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <union.bank.plc86@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:57:19 +0100
Subject: ATTN: Please Read Carefully...

ATTN:

I'm really sorry that I responded this late. I want to make you understand that the content of your email is
well noted by me. I must tell you that I am in the right position to make the payment of $500,000.00 US
dollars; I understand that my boss has directed me to send your funds to you via international certified
bank draft.

I am really sorry at this point in time. I want to make you understand that your funds will be transfer to you
via bank to bank money transfer as I have deposited the funds on your behalf with UNION BANK PLC So
I will advice you to provide a bank account to enable the bank make a direct transfer of your funds without
any delay. For more clarification of your fund please contact the officer in charge of your funds in UNION
BANK PLC, because he is in charge of your transfer so my dear you have to contact him below with his
email address. So he will give you instructions concerning the transfer.

Name: Mr. John Thomas
Email Address: union.bank.plc@consultant.com

Please do not fail to get back to me if you have any problem with the bank and please do whatever Mr.
John instructs' so this transaction will be a success he is the right person for the transfer, thank you.

Best Regards,
Melvin Walter

Anti-fraud resources: