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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: "OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <payingunitb@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 11:06:46 +0100
Subject: SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM FACING YOUR FUND PAYMENT

The UK Office: 420 Strand, City of London, Greater London WC2R 0JR
Nigeria Office: Plot 482 Awolowo Way, Off Hospital Bldg, Ikeja-Lagos
Rep of Benin Office: 112 Avenue de France Marina, BP 2019. Cotonou

Ref: SIFC/ WA-sub/ECOWAS/300/Vol.m38
OFFICIAL (External) MEMO


Subject: Immediate Action On Foreign Payment (A CIRCULAR DIRECTING THAT YOUR FILE BE OPENED AND YOUR FUND RELEASED TO YOU) For your notice, this memo is to draw to your attention the frantic efforts the World Bank machinery in conjunction with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) -which includes Ghana, the Gambia, Nigeria, Togo, Republic of Benin- are putting in to harmonize and settle most external debts of their member countries through this appointed settlement bureau (STATE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS COMMISSION), without government interference.


In pursuant to the above, the World Bank has seconded its delegated Auditors to these countries to facilitate this assignment. Consequently, it has come to the official notice that countries through its agencies (Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, Presidency, office of Accountant General etc) are imposing difficult conditions including irrelevant charges and fees to beneficiaries alike who have their funds approved for release but not yet paid to them, Thus, making it extremely difficult for those beneficiaries to receive their long over-due payment.


Having received payment files of creditable beneficiaries including yours, this Office has harmonized and vetted them, sequel to endorsement and payment proper. We have obtained an Irrevocable Payment Guarantee on your payment from the Authority with this week. But, to forestall these scams and frauds, protection of your fund and data has been topmost priority, hence the digital formulation vesting on you a FOREX CLEARANCE CODE (FCC) and TRANSFER ACCESS PERMIT (T.A.P).


You are expected to reply to The Coordinator, Fund Verification, and email: payingunita@yahoo.com.ph and confirm your
a) Full Name
(b) Full Address
(c) Telephone (preferably mobile)
(d) Occupation
(e) Age
(f) Bank Details


As soon as we receive your reply, the scheduled Credit/Debit (ATM) Card Upload will be made via our Bank of Settlement and your Credit/Debit (ATM) Card will be ready on either VISA CARD or MASTERCARD as you would have chosen. Send your details and confirmation to The Coordinator, Fund Verification, email: payingunita@yahoo.com.ph


On behalf of the ECOWAS, we are awaiting your prompt response to the email= payingunita@yahoo.com.ph.


Mr. Ibrahima GUEYE
Director, Finance Directorate
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Anti-fraud resources: