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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: western union <onlinewesternunion55@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:33:52 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: DEBT RECONCILIATION/PAYMENT


DEBT RECONCILIATION/PAYMENT SETTLEMENT VALUE AMOUNT:$2.6USD:

Dear:Friend,

We Apologize for the delay of your payment and all the Inconveniences
 and hiccups that we might have caused you. However, we were having some
 minor problems with our payment system, which is Inexplicable, and have
 held us stranded and Indolent, not having the Preriquiste to devote
 our 100% endowment in accrediting foreign payments.

We apologized once again, from the Records of outstanding debt's due
 for payment to:{ AWARD LOTTERY WINNER'S AND INHERITANCE FUND CLAIMS} THIS
 OFFICE: DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE INCONJUNCTION WITH OVERSEA
 CREDIT COMMISSION has been Mandated to Liquidate all outstanding debt;your
 name and Particulars were discovered as next on the list due for
 outstanding payment.
 
I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and
 can be accelerated so that your payment can be processed and will be
 released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that
 from the record in our file, YOUR APPROVED PAYMENT IS US$2.6million Usd
 (TWO MILLION SIX HUNDRED US DOLLARS)..
You are advised to choose any preferred method of payment and also
 indicate your area of concern for your payment:

{1} Diplomatic immunity payment system {cash delivery to your residence}

http://www.dhl.co.uk/home.html

Mailing;.............................EURO 250.00
Vat (20%)..............................EURO 200,00
(it will take over night delivery)
TOTAL.................................EURO 450.00

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/index.jsx

Mailing:.............................. EURO 220.00
Vat20%:..................................... EURO 50.00
(it will take 3days to delivery)
TOTAL:.............................. EURO 270.00


http://fedex.com/gb/

Mailing...............................EURO 240.00
Vat (20%)..............................EURO 100,00
(it will take 2days to delivery)
TOTAL.................................EURO 340.00

{2} Certified Bank Draft Mail to your home address.
{3} Wire Transfer to  your nominated bank account of your choice,as
 
soon as you get in touched with
Mr. Peter Cruz.
Oversea Credit Commission.
E-mail: (notification.grouplotto2013@gmail.com)
 
In the light of this aforementioned, you are required to furnish this
office with the following information, as this will enable us to process
and release  your cash prize without any further delay.
 
Your Full Name:
Telephone and fax Numbers:
Residential Address:
 
Forward your urgent reply/payment information's to me Mr. Peter Cruz. via
e-mail: notification.grouplotto2013@gmail.com
for speedy release of your long
over-due payment within 48hours.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs Rose Williams
For:Debt Reconciliation's Committee.


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