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: "Mr PAUL MBAH" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrphilipuba@inMail.sk>
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:19:22 +0200
Subject: RE:

After series of investigations by the Senate of Federal Republic of Benin, It is verified that your payment has been unnecessarily delayed by corrupt officials of Western Union Office,Money Gram office and various courier Companies who are trying to divert your money into their private accounts.It has been over-due for collection. It is ridiculous and hypatheting that payment should be approved but delayed by unknown elements.

I hereby inform you that your funds were finally transferred to the account of your Immediate Brother as your Relatives presented on Friday 25/11/2011 from our Telex Dept. Office in California, U.S.A address: ANTHONY M.WILLIAMS/ 8194 SW MURRAY BLVD BEAVERTON, OREGON 97005.

We are not comfortable because you have not contacted us to confirm that you have received your funds in your account.

Therefore you are advise to get back to us or re-confirm if you has received the payment or not,immediately to help us cross-check your transaction with our banking Telex.

Make sure you respond immediately for quick check on the infos. to enable me  release your transaction Code# for you to re-check your funds with your bank. Reply here:( mrphilipuba@inMail.sk )

Have a nice day and i am hoping to hear from you soon, once you have reached the bank.

  

THANKS,

Mr PAUL MBAH,

Call/ +229  99 138 188

Anti-fraud resources: