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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 KING BRAWN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kingbrawn@gmx.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17.24.24 +0200
Subject: YOUR FUND TRANSFER UPDATE

Greetings:
 
Hope this will sound good to you and to bring a good business relationship between us. 
I am Mr. King Brawn; am a Citizen of United State. Chicago, I was working with SKY BANK OF NIGERIA as one of the branch MANAGER for about 2-3 years now before I was made the New Manager of UNION BANK NIGERIA.
I was going true the banking file this morning when I came across your email on the file of a PENDING FUNDS TRANSFER of $10.3 Million USD which is about 8months ago now, so I decided to contact you by your mail and see if I can be of good help to you.
I have been trying to contact to VIA you cell phone Number and informed you about your funds in my BANK where I am the New Bank Manager now.
Without wasting much time, I will like to know from you why Your Funds has been Pending for Transfer and also reconfirm the below information for confirmation to help us serve you better.
 
Your Full Name.................
Your Country Address...........
Your Home Address..............
Occupation....................
Tel Or Cell Phone..............
Age........................... ......
A Copy Of Your ID...............
On this matter, I shall be available 24 hrs to give you the necessary guidelines on how to ensure that your FUNDS are wired to you immediately.
REPLY BACK
Best Regard
MR. KING BRAWN        
NEW MANAGER OF UNION BANK NIGERIA

Anti-fraud resources: