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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: TONY OFOR <tonyofor2810@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 18:16:54 -0800
Subject: URGENT NOTICE!

Dear Beneficiary,

This is to notify you of an application from Dr. James Benekker from usa to
us claiming that you have been diagnosed of cancer and as a result of your
detoriating health condition, you have authorised him to receive and invest
on your behalf the 1st instalmental payment of your money here ($5,5m)
which has been approved for payment by the FEDERAL MINISTER FOR FINANCE,
and hence ready for remittance to your bank.
Mr Benekker also has shown interest in paying the remittance fee of $850
and have your money remitted to an account which has nominated for us in a
usa bank.
Pls you are expected to confirm this request urgently because the money
will be wired to the account which he has provided for us within 2working
days of this notification, and the Federal government of Nigeria therefore
stands not to be blame for any mistake of paying into a wrong account if
this information is not countered immediately.
We have been mandated to remit the money into his account as soon as he
makes the payment of the remittance fee to avoid further delay of this
money.

Thanks for your anticipated co operation,
Yours sincerely,
James Paul,
Federal Remittance Officer.

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