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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. Alex Paterson." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alex_ptt4@rediffmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:41:39 +0200
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION {TT7270IMF}

Our Ref: IMF/OHG/OXD1/2011
Your Ref: ..............................
TELEX :( IMF) International Monitoring Fund London
PAYMENT FILE: IMF/BEN/2011.
Date 23/09/ 2011
Dear Honorable Beneficiary,
 
 
                                                          PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS.
Definitely, I am sure that the receipt of this email will be of utmost blessing to you. I am Mr. Alex Peterson, the personal secretary to Mr. Ralph Dunham the director International Monitoring Fund London (IMF)
 
You are being officially contacted by me today because I was instructed to do so by my boss The director International Monitoring Fund London (IMF)kindly note that your Funds were Re-deposited into the” International monitory fund  Account in London last week, because you did not forward your Claim as the Right beneficiary.
 
The International Monitoring Fund London (IMF)here in London ,and My boss The Director was visited in his office by three gentlemen last week, really these men were unexpected by him because their visit was impromptu.
 
He had to ask them why they came to see him in person and they said that they came to collect the Inheritance/ contract funds Bill Sum of (US$10,000,000:00)$10 million which rightfully belongs to you, At this development He asked them who authorized them to come down to London for the Collection of this Payment and they told him that you asked them to come and collect these Funds on your Behalf.
 
Infect this was the biggest shock that this office has ever received so far because your Inheritance Funds is still in the "Federal Suspense Account" of (IMF),yet you sent these men to come and collect this Funds on your behalf without notifying us. We do not understand why you should send these men to come and Collect your Funds on your behalf. If actually you want them to help you collect your funds, you should have at least informed him officially as the Director of (IMF).
 
Note that they actually tendered some Vital Documents which proved that you actually sent them for the Collection of these Funds.
Honestly, it really shocked him that you took such a decision without his consent. Below is list of the
Documents which they tendered to this office.
 
1. LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION.
2. HIGH COURT INJUCTION.
3. ORDER TO RELEASE.
Actually, these Documents which they tendered to this Noble office are a clear Proof that you sent them to Collect this Funds for you. Finally, He, Mr. Ralph Dunham told them to come back tomorrow morning and they promised to come back.
 
As the Director of this Noble office, he was supposed to Release this Funds to them but he refused to do so because he wanted to clarify this from you first.
 
KINDLY DO GET BACK TO ME WITH YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER SO I CAN REACH YOU AS FAST AS POSSIBLE OK.
Due to the Nature of our job, we cannot afford to make any mistake in releasing these Funds to anyone except you who is the Recognized Bonifay Beneficiary to these Funds.
 
Kindly clarify us on this issue before we make this Payment to these foreigners whom came on your behalf.
Note that for security reasons you have been assigned a code/password which is {TT7270IMF} Please note that this code is the reference number for your transfer and its being disclosed to you alone, guard this jealously and all your email response should carry this code as the subject. You can also contact me on this emails address below.
EMAIL: alexptt50@gmail.com
EMAIL:alex_ptt3@rediffmail.com
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Alex Paterson.

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