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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: "Christine Lagarde" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <msarenewilliams@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 08:57:06 +0100
Subject: OFFICIAL NOTICE

Attention,
Congratulation we The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wish to inform you that your total compensation of $5.5Million USA Dollars which has been delayed by Correspondent Bank have be release today, you need to urgently claim your compensation funds.Due to the corrupt practices of some government officials in those Africa and European countries will be transferred to you daily.
We have been instructed to conclude the entire exercise  and any beneficiary who fails to meet up would have his/her funds paid into the ECOWAS treasury as unclaimed fund.
Finally, to help us commence with the process of transfer in accordance with the new directives you will be required to send us useful details as stated below for reconfirmation in order to avoid wrong payment/transfer.
Provide us the information and telephone Number as follows:
Full name:
country:
Direct phone number:
Occupation:
Christine Lagarde
Managing Director
 

Anti-fraud resources: