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: "Director Legal Affairs" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dilegalaffairs@skymail.mn>
Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 05:40:26 -0400
Subject: IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Hi,
 
I saw your name (in the Central Computer among the list of unpaid contractors, inheritance, next of kin and lottery beneficiaries that was originated from Africa, Europe, Asia Plus Middle east, Americans) among the list of individuals and companies that your unpaid fund has been located to United Overseas Bank Bangkok Thailand which is the paying bank now.
 
Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-payment of US$7.5 Million and has been approved already for months. You are required to forward the following details of yours; Full names, Address, Occupation,Age and Phone Numbers for verification and re-confirmation. You are requested to get back to me for more direction and instruction on how to receive your fund.
 
Once again, I apologize to you on behalf Of UN (UNITED NATIONS) failure to pay your funds in time, which according to records in the system had been long overdue.
 
Please reply through my private email for me to inform you with the information of  United Overseas Bank which is the paying bank.
 
Please kindly reply back only on this Email:dlegalaffairs@skymail.mn
Yours Sincerely,
 
 
Dr. Mark Friedrich
Director Legal Affairs (UN)

Anti-fraud resources: