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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: "Barr. George Harvey" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <harveygeorge265@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 03:51:47 -0800
Subject: Re: Important and urgent

Attention:
 
On behalf of the chambers,I have the pleasure to re-call your attention on the urgent need to contact the "United Parcel Service" (UPS) regarding the dispatch of an ATM card,valued $4.5m issued in your name, in line with the notification we received. This amount was ordered for release via ATM card from a leading commercial bank where the funds was repatriated to after a confirmation was established that it was being misdirected to a wrong person.
 
It is rather a puzzle to note that we detected lots of irregularities associated with your claim as revealed by the bank and we are honored to inform you that two gentlemen namely, Mr. Herbert Dean and Mr. Scone Anderson submitted an application letter that you authorized your fund to be paid into their account domiciled with the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) with Account number UBS- A943BDG99, with a report that you are now incapacitated as a result of the ghastly motor accident you had some months back.
 
After processing the application of these gentlemen which the bank made known to us that they came from you, they succeeded in getting some required documents in making sure that the bank processed the legality as quickly as possible without any further delay.
The delay in transferring the funds is due to the request for a power of attorney authorizing them to pursue this payment on your behalf. They asked us for a week so as to submit the document, but up till now we have not received any of the documents from any of you. Reconfirm to us if all these arrangement is authorized by you.
 
We had earlier confirmed some details to the issuing bank based on the file we kept to your data as the rightful beneficiary.
Kindly reconfirm your direct phone line and contact address immediately,and let us know as soon as you are contacted by either the (Lloyds TSB) bank London or the Management,ŠUPS Online Management Team.
 
This email is to let you know that the parcel left sub-origin on 12/20/2012 and since on the 31st of January 2013, it has been in Pine Bluff,AR (Arkansas), United States, awaiting clearance.
 
To track this information,kindly go to www.ups.com and insert the tracking number
below to view delivery status.
www.ups.com
Tracking Number: 1Z9575R2P297341747
 
 
However,the issuing bank,has just notified us to reveal that your attention is needed immediately for a proper redress and amends
 
Your urgent response through my email: barr.georgehavit@outlook.com
 
 
Regards
Barr. George Harvey

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