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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: "Investigations Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kenadams123@mynet.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 13:40:33 -0600
Subject: ...IMF OFFICE

International Monetary Fund(IMF)
Central Europe Zone
#13 - 15 Ada Court
Maida NE 1W
London

Attn: Beneficiary

My name is Mr Ken Adams, Director of Operations of the International Monetary Fund Investigations Unit (Europe Zone). Some documents and letters were forwarded and received in our office here in London UK requesting that your on hold and unclaimed funds be paid to Messrs Jacobs Enterprises from Texas USA.

In the said letter of change of beneficiary/ownership, representatives of Messrs Jacobs Enterprises states that you are dead and as such your funds should be paid to him as the next of kin to you. Because of the elaborate global scam, we decided to contact you for confirmation. If after two(2) working days, no response is received from you, it will be assumed that you are dead and as such, authorisation and approval will be granted on behalf of Messrs Jacobs Enterprises to claim/receive your fund.

Reconfirm the following Information to me if you are still alive and willing to recieve your funds:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) company's name,position and address.
4) profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of int'l passport or any scanned identity to prove yourself.

Also, let us know how you want your funds paid to you without further delay if you are still alive.

Send your response immediately.

Regards
Ken adams

Anti-fraud resources: