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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev Fr Victor Wetaego" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zainthbankplc@e-mail.ua>
Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2013 10:15:40 -0400
Subject: TOP PRIORITY NOTICE

From the desk of:
Rev Fr  Victor  Wetaego
Foreign Payment Dept.
Zenith Bank PLC
Lagos - Nigeria.
 
 
DELIVERY OF YOUR ACCRUED INTEREST THROUGH A CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT
 
Attn:Sir & Madam
 
We deem it necessary to communicate you directly on the recent decision by
the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after an agreement was
reached with representatives of the World Bank and International Monetary
Fund (African Region).
 
In the spirit globalization, which prompted the government&rsquo;s most
appreciated policy on debt servicing and reschuflement as it affect most of
our creditors and contractors. We authoritatively inform you that the
Federal Government has directed us to immediately raise an International
Certified Bank Draft and deliver to you the sum of capital interest accrued
from your withheld fund dating from the time of lodgment in our bank ZENITH
BANK PLC pending when issues restricting the release of your entire payment
is resolved by this present government.
 
In accordance with this directive we have formally checked and confirmed
that your withheld payment yielded an interest of USD$3,520,435.00. In the
spirit of reconciliation we legally advise that you make a formal
application for the delivery of this draft of your money to your address in
your country with the courier service. On behalf of the
government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria we regret all
inconveniences caused by the delay in ratifying the whole payment.
We appreciate your kind understanding.
 
Rev Fr  Victor  Wetaego
Foreign Payment Dept
Zenith Bank PLC

Anti-fraud resources: