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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: "Anti-Fraud Unit" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fraudalertunit@e-mail.ua>
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:26:12 -0500
Subject: Fraud Alert.

SOUTH AFRICA Anti-Fraud Unit
...we fight against fraud, funds delay and impersonation.
***24HRS SERVICE ***

This letter will definitely be amazing to you because of its realistic value. Sorry for the inconveniences that was rendered to you in your line with your payment transaction with some unscrupulous people some while ago. Based on our findings, we in this investigation department wish to warn you against some miscreants and hoodlums who go about scamming innocent people by claiming to be who they are not and thereby tarnishing the good image of this wonderful country. We were informed that some
Hoodlums are contacting you in respect of your funds transfer, which was long approved in your favor.

As a matter of fact we have been on this investigation assignment over a period of time unknowingly to no one, but the President and some top government official who are in support of his investigation team to help stop fraudulent activities in our country and as well restore the good image that may have been tarnished.

Although, we have been able to come up with good investigative result over the people that have contacted you/extorted money from you illegally. Hence, we want you to note that the only office / paying bank that is being authorized to pay or contact you prior to the transfer of your fund is the E-Bank Direct PLC.

We apologies on behalf of the President and the people of South Africa for any delay and lost this must have caused you in any way and promise that such thing will not occur again in the future as all necessary measure is being put in place to avert fraud from reoccurring in our country and to ensure you receive your payment.

However, if you are still dealing with any one of them, regarding your funds we advise you to stop further contact as you are taking a very big risk. It might interest you to know that you will never get your fund from them as they have nothing to offer.

Note: The hoodlums will continue coming up with expenses and thereby requesting for money from you until you go bankrupt. Hence, your funds are currently deposited with the above named Bank and in safe hands bonded.

Finally, you are expecting to get back to us unfailingly, so as to enable us serve you oversee your funds to you by the above named bank.

Thank you very much for your anticipated co-operation and understanding, we await your urgent response.

Yours sincerely,

David Shauket.
Chairman
South Africa Anti-Fraud Unit.

Anti-fraud resources: