joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "United Nation Lottery" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smithmike1@umail.net>
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 10:44:47 +0100
Subject: Dear Lucky Winner,

Dear Lucky Winner,

The Overseas Subscribers Agents (OSA), in assistance with the United Nations International Grant Award Board Commissions, South Africa. We happily announce to you that your e-mail address have won our 2010 computer balloting program, the amount of {USD$1.000, 000.00} One Million United States Dollars Only. Attached with Ref NO:-UNG23711WON, Batch NO: 945-184-WON with Ticket NO: 211-194, draw the Lucky NO: 02, 08, 29,33,37,41. This won the 2010 draw.

Your winnings should be claimed from our paying agent. As we have notified them. Please contact the under listed assigned agent: via telephone or email with the below details.

1) Your full names:
2) Your address:
3) Telephone and Fax numbers:
4} Your Date of Birth:
5} Your Occupation:
6} Your Batch NO: Ref NO: Ticket NO: And the Lucky NO:

Dr: Smith Mike
Tel +27-732-236-684
Fax+27-86 572 7214
Email: smithmike@umail.net

You must contact the appointed claim agent immediately. The validity period of the winnings is for 30 working days.

Congratulations!!!

Regards,
Dr. Smith Mike
(UNITED NATIONS GRANT AWARD BOARD)

Anti-fraud resources: