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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: "MISS STEPHANIE HAYWOOD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <onlineregcenter@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 29 May 2012 11:08:57 -0600
Subject: Ref/Congratulation {$3.5,000.000.00}

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIME COMMISSION NIG (EFCC)
IN AFFILIATION WITH WORLD BANK FINANCE GROUP
CUSTOMERS SERVICE HOURS / MONDAY TO SATURDAY
OFFICE HOURS MONDAY TO SATURDAY:
 
Our Ref: UN/TH/066147/2012
I am Stephanie Haywood Manager, Head of the World Bank Finance Group and Interpol London Branch, set up to fight against Scam, Financial Crimes and Fraudulent activities worldwide.
 
This Group is responsible for investigating the legitimacy of unpaid contract, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs the paying authorities (Fiduciary Agents) worldwide to make immediate payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.
 
You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund. After a detailed review of your file, the World Bank Group has mandated that your fund should be release immediately today.
 
This is to officially inform you that an ATM CARD worth (Three Million and Five Hundred United States Dollars) ($3.5MILLION USD) has been accredited in your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is PF-1T01.
 
Your payment would be sent to you via our preferred option and would be mailed to you via UPS. Because we have signed a contract with UPS which should expire in next three weeks you will only need to pay $270 instead of $470 saving you $200 So if you pay before the three weeks then you save $200 Take note that anyone asking you for some kind of money above the usual fee is definitely a fraudsters and you will have to stop communication with every other person if you have been in contact with any. Also remember that all you will ever have to spend is $270.00 nothing more! Nothing less! And we guarantee the receipt of your fund to be successfully delivered to you within the next 24hrs after the receipt of payment has been confirmed.
 
DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $470 but because UPS have temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when package is delivered for international shipping We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual fee of $470 to $270 nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort! To effect the release of your fund valued at $3.5Million us dollars you are advised to contact our correspondent in Africa the delivery officer Mr. Ben Martins with the information below,
 
Email: onlineregcenter@yahoo.co.jp
Telephone: +2348095914562
 
You are advised to contact him with the information's as stated below:
 
Your full Name..
Your Address:.....
Home/Cell Phone:........
Preferred Payment Method (ATM / Cashier Check)
 
Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 24 working hours. Because we are so sure of everything we are giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive payment/package within the next 24hrs after you have made the payment for shipping.
 
YOURS SINCERELY,
MISS STEPHANIE HAYWOOD
HEAD OF FOREIGN OPERATIONS
 
Note: Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your ATM CARD, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with Mr. Bobby Childress of the ATM CARD CENTRE who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your ATM CARD PAYMENT and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we could act upon and commence investigation.
 

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