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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: " MR. MICHAEL PENN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrmichaelpenn@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2000 03:52:52 -0800
Subject: RESPOND IS NEEDED

FROM MR. MICHAEL PENN
HEAD:WORLD FINANCIAL SERVICE AUTHORITY INVESTIGATION AND SETTLEMENT TEAM,UK.

Owing to numerous complaints from many beneficiaries across the globe due to the failure of concerned payment financial committees set up in the past by IMF and WORLD BANK to effect the payment of their outstanding funds such as through Contract Payment, Inheritance and Lottery Winning Prize Awards among others,World Financial Service Authority(FSA) has set up this team called FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION AND SETTLEMENT TEAM to ensure that beneficiaries receive their funds without hitches.

It may interest you to know that following our investigation into the numerous complaints,your name was found among the beneficiaries who have not received their funds and from our findings your fund and its accrued interest is US$7m.
Note that a special arrangement has been made with a reputable bank in Africa,INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC to ensure that the payment of your fund is effected through ATM CREDIT CARD PAYMENT SYSTEM.

In view of the above, you are advised to confirm the following information which will be forwarded the director of ATM CREDIT CARD department of the bank to enable the bank start the processing and issuance of your ATM CREDIT CARD;

1, YOUR FULL NAME AS YOU WISH IT TO APPEAR ON YOUR ATM CREDIT CARD.
2, YOUR CURRENT RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:
3, YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER (PREFERABLY MOBILE NUMBER).
4, PROFESSION AND COMPANY NAME (IF ANY).
5, AGE AND MARITAL STATUS.

As soon as we receive the above requested information from you, we shall forward your payment file and contact details to Head of ATM CREDIT CARD department of the Bank,to enable him contact you for the issuance of your ATM CREDIT CARD.

Regards,
Mr.Michael Penn.
HEAD:WORLD FINANCIAL SERVICE AUTHORITY INVESTIGATION AND SETTLEMENT TEAM,UK.

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