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: "Patrick Agu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <patrickagu71@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2012 02:56:43 -0500
Subject: USD$5Million Payment from Nigeria Debt Management

From: Mr. Patrick Agu
Director: Telex Wire Department
Central Bank of Nigeria
Tinubu Squre–Lagos

USD$5Million Payment from Nigeria Debt Management

Attention Fund Beneficiary,

I am delighted to notify you that your payment approval file has been submitted to my office this morning and the president Federal Republic Of Nigeria has mandated the above office to settle all foreign outstanding debts.

Therefore, my office has been instructed to pay you the total part approved contract payment sum of US USD$5,000,000,00 which has been processed into our Central Transfer Swift Board ready for final remittance into your nominated bank account.

The Government Approved Bank to Bank Swift Wire Transfer which will confirm into your bank account within 72hours of fund Transfer and the Wire Transfer Confirmation Slip will be given you immediately after the transfer.

You are advised to respond to forward as quickly as possible and forward the information below.

1. Your Name and Contact Address
2. Your Contact Telephone and Fax Numbers
3. Your Receiving Bank Details for Direct Wire Transfer

As soon as we receive the above details from you, we will program your Payment and effect the wire funds into your account and send you the Swift Wire Transfer Slip (SWTS) immediately the transfer is effected.

Thanks For your anticipated co-operation and understanding.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Patrick Agu
Director: Telex Wire Transfer Department
Central Bank of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources: