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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: Office Desk <office.desk201@yahoo.co.th>
Reply-To: Office Desk <express_courier.company@post.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 21:26:27 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR VISA ATM CARD VALUED US$1.3Million USD, IS READY NOW!!!


Our Ref: HFC- FRG--BOE/BNF07
From the Desk of: Ms. Elizabeth Nyarko


YOUR VISA ATM CARD VALUED US$1.3Million USD, IS READY NOW!!!

We are duly inter-switched.Therefore you can make withdrawal in any location of ATM Center and cash point of your choice in any part of the world and the maximum you can withdraw a day is $3,000.00

We also require you to know that the Automated Teller Machine card will be dispatched to you through a reliable courier company (Express Courier Company LTD) as we can not risk the card value at $1.3million. For your information, I have paid for the delivering Charges, and Clearance Certificate Fee neither of the ATM CARD showing that it is not a drug Money nor to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country. The only money you will send to the Courier Company to deliver your ATM CARD direct to your Address in your country is ($163), being their Security Keeping Fees and Valued Added Tax.

The cost is stated below:
The Security Keeping Fees: = $113
Valued Added Tax: = $50
Total Sum: = $163

Contact the Courier Company with the information below:
COURIER NAME: EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY LTD
CONTACT PERSON: MRS. MARY G.M
POSITION: FOREIGN DELIVERY DEPARTMENT.
TELEPHONE: +233-274-911-434
E-MAIL: express_courier.company@post.com

Your Automated Teller Machine card will be ready in 24 hours and dispatch will take place immediately.we are to commence the data encryption immediately and your ATM card. Mare available the cost of delivery $163 and inquire how you can send it to them, to commense with your ATM CARD delivery.

All the legal papers and payment approval will be shipped to you with the ATM card as soon they conclude all the payment and data encryption of your ATM card. We advise that you reconfirm your full names and mailing address to them and indicate the code (2661428). This will enable them to deliver the ATM package as they have it in their record.

You are advised to treat this as urgent as we have already mapped out your payment allocation.

Yours sincerely
Ms. Elizabeth Nyarko
Manager, HFC Bank Limited, Accra

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