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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.

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. Michael Obinna" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <m_obinna147@administrativos.com>
Date: Mon, 21 May 2012 07:12:14 -0400
Subject: DETAILS 21ST MAY 2012, RE CONFIRM THIS INFORMATION...

From:Mr. Michael Obinna,
Pay-Master General
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
International Operations/Foreign funds
Debt Reconciliation/Payment,

Attn: Beneficiary

Confirm This Information

It is totally against the ethics and civil service code of conduct in accordance with oath of secrecy for me to do this but I wish to do this on personal capacity believing you will not betray me but will surely come back to reward me for my sincerity, honesty and for my great effort made to secure a successful conclusion of this transaction in your favor.

Please confirm if truly the bank has communicated you regarding payment of your over due fund.

However, i wish to inform you that a woman submitted her name claiming to be your local representative, her details and banking particular was among the list certified for payments, see below and confirm for the account she submitted for transfer of your fund.

Beneficiary: Ms.Ronnette Higginbottom.
Bank Name: The Commerce Bank
Bank Address: 1072, Richmond av.
Staten Island, New York
Account Number: 4121097896,
Routing No:003-051-200,
Swift Code: CBNAUS33

I have inquired deeper to come to the conclusion that she and few powerful individuals are behind this dastardly act without due notices to you,As it stands now, you will certainly encounter enormous problems to convince the International Remittance Dept that you have not been served with required number of direct notices.

You are therefore advised to submit your approval, as the bank will certainly not be held responsible for paying into a wrong account,It will serve you well if you would quickly get back to me. So that i can issue instruction for re-verification on your payment file towards a direct wire transfer of your fund to you, I am capable to assist you receive this amount within the stipulated time.

I wait your urgent response so that i can give you further details on the next step.

Yours faithfully,

Mr.Michael Obinna.
Pay-Master General.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

Anti-fraud resources: