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: "Unity Bank Plc©" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrjohnsonwilliams11@googlemail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 11:18:08 -0700
Subject: Very important!!

Unity Bank Plc
Plot 785, Herbert Macaulay Way
Central Business District
Abuja, FCT.
 
Tel: +2348103675581
 
 
 
Dear Beneficiary,
 
 
We are happy to informed you that your name and email is found in our central  database as among the list of unpaid international contractors. Following the  resolution and settlement of payment by the World Bank, an irrevocable  instruction and authorization has been issued to us to process your over-due  payment.
 
As the president and the ceo of the bank, I am directed by the Senate Committee  on National Debt and the Board of National Contract Review Panel to inform you  that your overdue Inheritance Payment has been approved for payment.  Having  verified your payment agreement file as directed to us by the world bank; your  name is next on the list of outstanding Contractor to received Ten Million, Nine  Hundred and Ninty Nine Thousand United states currency with reference #:  RBL/WB/APRV/UN/2KX14.
 
You are advised to get back to us immediately for proper authentication and  payment instruction. Meanwhile, we received an official letter from Mr Willie  Mallory ,  who claimed to be your next of kin and He has also instructed us to  Release the money to his Woodforest National Bank with Acct #: 1330411131.
 
Be informed that your payment is being processed and will be released to the  above stated account within the next 72 hours.  Kindly re-confirm the following  details below if you have not authorized the change of account:
 
 
1) your full name and current address:
2) Phone, fax and mobile:
3) Company name and position (if any):
4)Your Profession:
5) Country of Origin:
 
Regards,
Mr. Johnson Williams,
Tel: +2348103675581

Anti-fraud resources: