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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: "Mr. Paul Douglas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <worldbankgroup231@qq.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:10:08 -0300
Subject: REPLY

 
Take Note: You are being contacted  as one of the b e n e f i c i a r i e s because your names and email contact is listed as one of the b e n e f i c i a r i e s to receive scam victims c o m p e n s a t i o n of $10.5M. from The U n i t e d N a t i o n s,The World B a n k Group and A f r i c a n Union.
 
For your information after our crucial meeting today with all the relevant a u t h o r i t i e s,Heads of g o v e r n m en t,The U n i t e d N a t i o n s,The World B a n k Group and A f r i c a n Union. We write to inform you that your p a y m e n t valued at U S $10.5M has been approved for immediate release to you through our Foreign Credit Commission into your account.
 
Our Foreign Credit Commission will release your p a y m e n t within 72hours of your accreditation.  Now you are advised to get back to us immediately with your {1} Your Full Names.....{2}Telephone Number....{3}contact address...{4}occupation...{5}Age... For further
briefing and immediate release of your f u n d to you.
 
Hope to hear from you soon.
 
Yours Faithfully,
 
Mr. Paul Douglas

Anti-fraud resources: