joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT OFFICE <internationaloffice002@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 01:54:52 -0700
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION UPDATE FROM THE UNITED NATIONS

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES
Internal Audit, Monitoring, Consulting

From:Dr Jim watts
Respond Very Urgently,

This is to inform you that I came to Nigeria from United States,after
series of complains from the FBI and other Security agencies from Asia,
Europe, Oceania, South America and the Department of States, respectively,
against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the British Government for
the rate of scam activities going on in these two nations.

I have met with President Dr Good luck Jonathan of Nigeria who claimed that
he has been trying his best to make sure you receive your fund in your Bank
account. Right now, as directed by our secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon,

We are working in collaborations with the FBI detectives attached with the
Nigerian Police Force here and has authorize the Government of Nigeria to
effect the approved inheritance fund of US$10, 5000, 000, 00 to you as
directed by the Department of States and the UN in your favor without any
further delay.

We have agreed to waive all your clearance fees/Charges and effect payment
of your fund $10.5M into your account instantly as directed. The only fee
you will pay to confirm the fund in your account is your NOTARIZATION
CLEARANCE FEE.

The Notarization Clearance fee is compulsory and not negotiable so, pay it
urgently and notify us to effect the transfer instantly as programmed.

Sincerely, you are a lucky person because I have just discovered that some
top Nigerian and British Government Officials are interested in your fund
and they are working in collaboration with One Mr. Richard Graves from USA
to frustrate you and thereafter divert your fund into their personal
account.

NOTE: You are warned to STOP every communication you have with anyone as
regards to your approved fund because all these while, they have not been
able to help you to receive your fund so for your best interest, STOP every
communication you have with whoever that has been dealing with you.

We need your maximum co-operation to effect your payment within 72 banking
hours.

You can as well send your payment information

(1) Your Valid Direct Tel/ Mobile/Fax Number.
(2) Your Full Name:
(3) Current Resident Address.
(4) Your Private E-mail Address.
(5) Your Occupation:
(6) Your Age and Sex:
(7) Your Nationality:
(8) Your Monthly Income:
(9) Driving license or your passport copy or your working id card:
(10)Your Next of Kin
(11)Your Bank Account Details, where you want the fund to be wired:

I have a very limited time to stay in Nigeria here so I would like you to
urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on how best to
receive your fund within the next 72 hours.

Sincerely yours,
Dr Jim Watts
United Nations Under-Secretary-
General for Internal Oversight
Tel:+234 8120 718 229

Anti-fraud resources: