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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: "World Bank Auditor USA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <executive001@admin.in.th>
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2013 02.14.19 +0200
Subject: payment mandate..

Dear beneficiary
 
 
This is to inform you that we have received a payment mandate in the
amount of USD$2.5 Million to credit your nominated bank Account in
United states , and we have Credited  the funds  in the  treasury
account system, pending the time we receive the documentation  on this
said funds.
 
This action is because the funds may be place on hold by the
financial Crime enforcement  Unit  due to none compliance  and
certification requirements on the said funds, came in as bonded and we
are unable to deduct the required amount from your principal amount.
 
We advise you to forward or reconfirm your Bank account coordinates
for further onward wire transfer to your account.Also forward to us
your telephone number where you can receive Bank wire transfer alert
from your Bank once the wire is made.
 
We wait to receive your full Bank account details, and your telephone
number where you will receive a Bank wire alert from your Bank.
We appreciate your time and attention to this urgent matter.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Dr. Philip Green,

Anti-fraud resources: