joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Deborah De-Young" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <deborahdeyoung701@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 19:25:00 +0200
Subject: Attn Beneficiary, Your payment via ATM VISA CARD READY

United Nations Office
National Information Officer
1775 K Street, NW Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
United States
Phone: 206-376-0151
 
Attention: Sir / Madam,
I bring to you notice that United Nations information center Washington DC has officially announced your un-paid Contract/ Inheritance fund payment been released by the World Bank on several petitions to African Unity (AU).
You are advised to contact the below person for collection
of your payment via ATM VISA CARD.
The only fee you will pay is the courier service fee for delivery the ATM VISA CARD to your address, Contact Person Mr Thomas Wilson
United Nation office
African Affliated office.
Lagos Nigeria.
Email: thomaswilson702@gmail.com
Phone: +2348166493171
 
Forward this reference code UN/WR/011.4XXVX/100 to enable them
locate your payment file.
 
Anticipating your response.
 
Ms. Deborah De Young
National Information Officer
Washington, DC 20006
 

Anti-fraud resources: