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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: "Mr.Gregory Akumadu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gregory.akumadu@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:00:33 -0700
Subject: Ref: Over Due Payment

UNION BANK INT'L PLC.
MARINA,LAGOS-NIGERIA.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER.
LEICESTER CURRENCY
CHEQUE/DRAFT DEPARTMENT
TELEGRAM: UBNFOREX
 
Dear Friend
 
Ref: Over Due Payment.
 
I am Gregory Akumadu, Director allocation department from the (Union Bank Int'l Plc.,)Lagos Branch. My office monitors and controls the affairs of all banks and financial institutions in Nigeria concerned with foreign claim payments.
I am the final signatory to the approval of funds for  transfer or remittance within banks both on the local and international levels in line with foreign claim settlement.
With current probing of Pension funds, I have before me list of funds, which could not be transferred to some nominated accounts as these accounts have been identified either as ghost accounts, unclaimed deposits and over-invoiced sum etc. 0n this note, I wish to have a deal with you as regards to an unpaid fund. I have a file before me and the data's are correct and untampered.
As it is my duty to recommend the transfer of these surplus funds to the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Development{Office of Accountant General of the Federation}as unclaimed deposits, I have the opportunity to write you based on the instructions I received two days ago from the Foreign Debts reconciliation dept to submit the List of payment reports / expenditures and audited reports of revenues for final disbursement to the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Development{Office of Accountant General of the Federation. Among several others, I have decided to remit to you the sum of Six Million Five Hundred United States Dollars{$14.5M USD}following my idea that we can have a deal/agreement and I am going to do this legally.
CONDITIONS:
1. The sum of USD$14.5M only will be transferred into your account after the processing of all relevant legal documents with your name as the bonafide beneficiary,the transfer will be made by either Certified Bank Draft or bank to bank transfer), confirmable in 3 working days.
2. This deal must be kept secret forever, and all correspondence will be strictly by email / telephone, for security purposes.
3. There should be no third parties as most problem associated with your fund release are caused by your agents or representative.
If you AGREE with the above conditions,l will advise you on what to do immediately and the transfer will commence without delay as I will proceed to fix your name on the Payment schedule instantly to meet the three days mandate. I hope you don't reject this offer and have this funds transferred.
 
Waiting for your reply soon via this Email-gregory.akumadu@yahoo.com
Yours faithfully.
Mr.Gregory Akumadu.

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