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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: "BRITISH TREASURY DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <btdofac2012@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 21 May 2012 18:15:24 -0700
Subject: FUND RELEASE NOTIFICATION {RESPOND ASAP}

British Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control
(BTDOFAC)Market Building Fountain Street St Peter Port
GY1 6G Guernsey Channel Island.
 
Attention
 
This email is to notify you about the release of your outstanding payment which is truly £3.500.000.00GBP The New Prime Minister (UK) scheduled a time frame to settle all foreign debts which includes Contract/Inheritance/ Gambling/ Lottery (Sponsored by Microsoft and National Lottery) and other international loans. News had it that over the past, numerous individual (s) who happen to be impostors (claiming to be individuals, banks and organizations) are claiming to release numerous sums of fund via numerous ways.
 
With the help of the (BTDOFAC) British Treasury Department's and we have noticed that people have being asked to pay outrageous amount of money by these impostors for the transfer of their funds to them. We want you to stop all communication that has to do with these fraudsters who have been requesting unreasonable sums of money from you to release your funds which they do not have access to. We have received a mandate and instructions from the (BTDOFAC) British Treasury Department's to commence the immediate release of your funds through one of the following payment options stated below depending on your choice:
 
1. Payment via Automatic Teller Machine (ATM card): This is where you will be sent an Automatic Teller Machine card with Pin also known as ATM card (A Master Card would be issued).Upon receipt of your custom ATM card you will be allowed to withdraw £10,000GBP per day by default and you are given the option to transfer funds from your ATM card to your bank account.
 
2. Certified Cashiers cheque or Bank Draft: In this case you will be sent a certified bank draft or check signed in your favor which you will deposit in any bank for it to be cleared within 3 to 5 working days at most depending on your bank.
 
3. Online Banking (Bank To Bank Transfer) this method is to enable you to access your account Online; or make transfer into your personal bank account.
 
Most importantly, you are advised to select one out of the three options on how you wish to receive your £3.500.000.00GBP,(Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds).Your ATM card or cheque/Bank Draft will be shipped via Courier Shipping Company and would get to you within 2 working days at most. For international shipping as stated by our company we had to sign contract with Courier for bulk shipping.
 
Apparently, you have being issued an Enquiry Notification Code:FBI/267489/US-08ZZ/08. You are to quote the above Enquiry Notification Code to this office and as well furnish us with the required details below:
 
1. Full Name:
2. Address:
3. Nationality:
4. Age
5. Occupation:
6. Your Office Telephone and fax.
7. Mobile Telephone
8. State of Origin:.............Country:
 
Note, upon the receipt of your response to this notification, this office will update you with further concrete details on when exactly your funds will get to you and we advise you to desist from further communication with any other office/person other than the assigned herein as our security agencies closely monitor this development.
 
Regards,
 
Patrick Reynolds.

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