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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: ICPC ICPC <icpcicpc65@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2014 12:22:26 -0700
Subject: We have decided to waive away all your clearance fees/Charges

Office of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
Plot 802 Constitution Avenue,
Central District,
PMB 535,
Garki Abuja Nigeria.

Attention: Sir/Madam

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

Meanwhile, We have met President Good-luck Jonathan, President Federal
Republic of Nigeria who gave us an irrevocable mandate to make sure every
beneficiary is paid on or before 7 (seven) working days.

We are working in collaborations with the Economic and Financial Crime
Commission (EFCC) and have decided to waive away all your clearance
fees/Charges and authorize the paying bank to effect the payment of your
compensation value amount of USD$3.2Million dollars approved by both the
British government and the UN into your account without any delay.The only
charge you will pay to confirm your fund in your account,is your
Non-residential Notarization fee of $75 to the ICPC.

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 Mr.Richard Graves and Nelson
Smith from USA to frustrate you and thereafter divert your fund into their
personal account.

Urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on how best to
confirm your fund in your account within the next 72 hours.

Sincerely yours,
Chairman ICPC
Mr Ekpo Nta

Anti-fraud resources: