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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: "Dr Ngozi Okonjo" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 19:25:09 +0300
Subject: Western Union Payment Notification

Attention Beneficiary

You are hereby notified of the current bank payment reform all over AFRICAN NATIONS on all inconclusive fund transfer relating to contract payments, inheritance, lottery winnings and other large transfers.

The ECOWAS COURT OF APPEAL has ruled in favor of clients from America, Europe, Asia, Atlantic regions and Africa to be refunded in which you are one of the beneficiaries.

You are receiving this mail today which is effective for the next 8 working days to effect your payment, all payments as agreed must be through secured sequential payment by the V financial institutions and it was agreed the WESTERN UNION money transfer is the most reliable for sequential payments except if you are having difficulty receiving money through it then you notify us.

It has been agreed the payment will be handled by the down town WESTERN UNION AGENT REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA. You will be required to open a certified sequential payment file with the down town western union agent by furnishing the director with the details below:The total money to be transfered to you is $1,900,000 (one million Nine hundred thousand Dollars)

Name:

Address:

Text question preferred by you if required in your country:

Occupation:

Please forward the above information to the director of the Down town Western Union in the office email downtownwesternunionagent01@yahoo.com

Direct contact mobile number:

Yours Faithfully,
Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala,
Director Finance Unit.

Anti-fraud resources: