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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: "Ms. Terri Bradson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrjacob_ustreasury@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 21:47:43 -0300
Subject: (OFAC)U.S Treasury Department's

 
    Attn:
 
 
      This email is to notify you about the release of your outstanding
    payment which is truly $15.500.000.00 USD. The New Prime Minister ( UK)
    scheduled a time frame to settle all foreign debts which includes
    Contract/Inheritance/ Gambling/ Lottery(Sponsored by Microsoft and
    National Lottery) and other international loans.News had it that over
    the past,numerous individual (s) who happen to be impostors (claiming to
    be individuals, banks and organizations) are claiming to release
    numerous sums of fund via numerous ways.
 
      With the help of the (OFAC)U.S Treasury Department's and with the FBI
    we have noticed that people have being asked to pay outrageous amount of
    money by these impostors for the transfer of their funds to them. We
    want you to stop all communication that has to do with these fraudsters
    who have been requesting unreasonable sums of money from you to release
    your funds which they do not have access to.
 
      We have received a mandate and instructions from the (OFAC)U.S Treasury
    Department's to commence the immediate release of your funds through one
    of the following payment options stated below depending on your choice:
 
    1. Payment via Automatic Teller Machine (ATM card): This is where you
    will be sent an Automatic Teller Machine card with Pin also known as ATM
    card (A Master Card would be issued). Upon receipt of your custom ATM
    card you will be allowed to withdraw $10,000 per day by default and you
    are given the option to transfer funds from your ATM card to your bank
    account.
 
    2. Certified Cashiers Check or Bank Draft: In this case you will be sent
    a certified bank draft or check signed in your favor which you will
    deposit in any bank for it to be cleared within 3 to 5 working days at
    most depending on your bank.
 
 
    Below are few list of tracking numbers you can track from FedEx and
    Firstflight Courier Express
    website to confirm people like you whom have successfully received their
    payment safely.
 
 
    Regarding the compensation i need you to track the below details and
    confirm your self from the already delivered funds via ATM card and Check.
 
    1. Website:http://firstflightservices.uk.pn/
    Tracking Number:U0000213
    Client name:Paul Johnson
 
    2. Website:http://firstflightservices.uk.pn/
    Tracking:U9000012
    Client name:Kendall Moore
 
      You are advised to select one out of the two options on how you wish to
    receive your $15.500.000.00 USD, ATM card or Check/Bank Draft will be
    shipped via Courier Shipping Company and would get to you within 2
    working days at most.
 
      For international shipping as stated by our company We had to sign
    contract with Courier for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from
    the actual $320.99 to $190.99 nothing more and no hidden fees of any
    sort.
 
      You are advised to contact the Department's Officer responsible for the
    shipping of your Check or ATM card with the following information for
    shipping of your payment Check or ATM card.
 
 
    Department's Officer: MR Jacob Joseph
    Email-  mrjacob_ustreasury@hotmail.com
 
 
    And provide her with the following information:
 
    Your full Name................
    Your Address:................
    Occupation:................
    Home/Cell Phone:.................
    Age.......................
 
    The Department's Officer Mrs Faith Maxwell will provide you with
    instructions on how you are to make payment of the $190.99 only for the
    shipping of your ATM card or Cashiers Check.
 
    You are to adhere strictly to the instructions above for more
    information contact the Department's Officer.
 
    Remember that you are not paying any fees extra no matter what. Once
    again note that the actual Courier Retail Price: $320.99 Your Price
    (Because of our contract signed): is now $190.99 ( $130.00 Savings!).
 
    Thanks,
    Ms. Terri Bradson
    U.S Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control
    (OFAC)U.S Treasury Department's
    1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, DC 20220

Anti-fraud resources: