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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: "UNION BANK OF NIGERIA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <uniondeptssd@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 06:31:03 +0200
Subject: WITHHELD FUND REMITTANCE NOTICE

Union Bank of Nigeria
HEAD OFFICE STALLION PLAZA
36, Marina Lagos.
Foreign operation office
Ogundipe Gbolahan David
E-mail: unb.bank@aol.com
       WITHHELD FUND PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Sequel to the directive from the Federal Ministry of Finance to pay your inheritance/lottery/contract sum. An ATM Card Number: 5120 8156 1062 5647 worth USD$750,000 has been accredited by the Union bank of Nigeria as part payment of your withheld transfer authorized by the Ministry of Finance.
In view of the payment authorization issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) in your favour, we request you contact us with the following information for verification and immediate release of your ATM card.
1.Full Name:
2.Phone number:
3.Delivery Address (not postal address):
4.Age:
5.Gender:
6.Occupation:
We undertake that drawing of ATM card under this notice will be honoured upon completion of the verification/authentication process. Bear in mind that you will pay the courier service/insurance ($140) charge being the amount needed to courier your ATM card to your address as we are not authorized to make deductions from your funds. This is the case only when you cannot come to our above office address to pick your ATM card in person.
You are receiving this message as a result of the directive from the Federal Ministry of Finance instructing the Union Bank of Nigeria to release your withheld payment with your full compliance. You will receive your ATM card within 72hrs of receipt of the courier service charge of $140 needed to courier your ATM card to your address. Please note that you have a 7days period to comply with this request, after which non-compliance will attract declaration of your ATM card as unclaimed and funds reverted to the government treasury.
Please help us to serve you better.
Yours Faithfully,
Ogundipe Gbolahan David
FOREIGN OPERATIONS

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