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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: "FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.fbiheadquarters@superposta.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 23:42:29 -0500
Subject: Attn: Federal Bureau of Investigation (America)

FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subject: Sequel to the outcome of the amalgamated Bank meeting held today at the Sheraton Hotels Abuja
 
 
 
 
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
 
 
 
Sequel to the outcome of the amalgamated Bank meeting held today at the Sheraton Hotels Abuja with his Excellency Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan, the president of Federal Republic of Nigeria regarding to all foreign outstanding payment which originated from contract(s), Inheritance, Lotto/Promo and ATM Card together with those that had uncompleted international transactions that failed due to Government failed bureaucracy.
 
 
 
 
In view of the above, we, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (America), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance (Nigeria) are happy to inform you that Part Payment of $1,000, 000.00, (One Million United States Dollars Only) has been approved and awarded in your favor by the Foreign Remittance Department of Central Bank of Nigeria as instructed by the presidency.
 
 
 
 
However, in line with the payment procedure, you are hereby advised by this Bureau to send the processing fee of $185 to the very office of the Federal Ministry of Finance Nigeria immediately you receive this message in the name of their accredited cashier officer as stated below to enable them proceed with the processing of the approval of your Payment Authorization Letter which will empower the Foreign Remittance Department of Central Bank of Nigeria to proceed with your payment as instructed without further delay.
 
 
 
On the other hand, you are advised to reconfirm the MTCN of the US$185 to us via e-mail as soon as possible, while we further transmit the information to the office of the Federal Ministry of Finance Nigeria for accountability and transparency.
 
 
 
However, be advised by this Bureau to reconfirm your Full Name, Contact Address and Mobile Telephone Number as soon as possible. Note: For your own good, stop every further communication with any offices or persons who may have been parading themselves before now to be what they are not, to enable the very Offices in charge proceed to serve you better.
 
 
 
This Bureau has been mandated to guide you to the completion of this payment.
 
 
 
 
Treat As Urgent
Robert S. Mueller, III
 
 
 
Note: This message is intended to be for the use only of the concerned recipient, and may contain information that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error or are not the concerned recipient, please notify us immediately by contacting the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the address noted above, and delete and destroy all copies of this message.
 

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