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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: "ECOWAS REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.ecowwas@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 10:50:56 -0700
Subject: Letter from Mrs. Antionette Sayeh.

THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND COMPENSATION UNIT.
Head Office: k.m 7/10 Ikeja Road Lagos Nigeria
From The Disk of Dr.Mrs.Antionette Sayeh.
I.M.F West African Director,
 
Attention Please Read Carefully.
 
Letter from Dr. Mrs. Antionette Sayeh, I.M.F West African Director. This is to officially inform you that ATM Card Valued $800,000.00 usd (Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) has been issued as a compensation payment for all the short listed 2010/2011 scam victims whose email address was recovered during the recent internet probing and investigation process.
 
We the members of International Monetary Fund West African Region are very pleased to inform you that (ATM Card Number:4278763100030014 ) and the Security pin has been credited in your favor, your personal Identification Number is 822 which you have to forward  to our agent for identification. The ATM Card value is (Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
 
Kindly note that this is legit and any act like this is very appreciated and will be well honoured, You are advice to contact Rev. Sam George for the delivery of your ATM CARD to you.
 
Contact Person : Rev. Sam George
Email : samgeorge1963@yahoo.com
Telephone Number: +234-8126964407.
 
Below are the vital information of yours needed for the delivery of your ATM CARD to you.
 
FULL NAME:......................................
DELIVERY ADDRESS:...............................
PHONE NUMBER:...................................
COUNTRY:......................................
 
Below is your ATM CARD information.
ATM Card Number: (4278763100030014)
Security Pin Code : 7546
Withdrawal per day : $5,000
 
The only money you have to send to Rev. Sam George is the delivery charges of $105 usd  for the delivery of your ATM CARD to you and note that you have to keep your ATM CARD information secret to avoid diverting/stealing of your money because we registered your ATM CARD as a parcel. You are advice to contact Rev. Sam George for the delivery of your ATM CARD to you.
 
Contact Person : Rev. Sam George
Telephone Number: +234-8126964407
Contact -Email : samgeorge1963@yahoo.com
 
Thank you.
 
Yours Sincerely,
DR.Mrs.Antoinette Sayeh
I.M.F west African Director.
 
Best Regard,
Yours faithfully,
Mr.Samuel Bello
Authorization  Minister
ECOWAS WEST AFRICA.

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