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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: "Internet crime complaint center (IC3)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <icc.center001@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 May 2015 00:46:29 -0500
Subject: Re>>> URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL...

URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL..
Internet crime complaint center (IC3)
Today at 5:21 AM
Attention
We have been informed through our global intelligence monitoring network that the sum of $10.500, 000.00, has been released in your name as the beneficiary without dist certificate to clear your name and fund from every terrorist or drug or money laundering activities.We sincerely apologize for sending you this sensitive information via e-mail instead of a certified mail,We will also send you a certified email later it is due to the urgency and importance of the security information needed. To checkmate financial recklessness, illegal gambling, racketeering and considering the effect of the global financial crisis rocking the United States.
The internet crime complaint center (IC3),alongside with the CIA  signed an agreement with U.S  police for an immediate release of all overdue funds presently logged in their treasury and to ensure it is disbursed to the rightful beneficiaries in all parts of the world. If you the beneficiary would adhere to our instruction it will help you receive your payment  immediately you will have to stop any further communication with any office act to be your funds releasing agent
The bank you have been dealing with previously knowing fully well that they do not have enough facilities to make this payment from any part of the world to your account directly, used what we know as a secret diplomatic transit payment (s.d.t.p) method to make the payment. direct transfers are difficult and secret diplomatic transit payment (s.d.t.p) are not  usually made unless the funds are  related to terrorist activities and we ask why must your payment be made in  a secret transfer if your transaction  is legitimate, We do not want you to get into trouble as soon as these funds reflect in your personal account, so it is our duty as an international agency to correct these little problems before this fund reflects into your personal account.
We decided to contact you directly by email to acquire the proper verification and proof from you to show that you are the rightful person to receive this fund, because of the huge amount involved. Be informed that the funds are now with a top bank in the United State in your name and under the monitoring/custody of the (IC3). At the moment,
Yours Faithfully
Robert J. Holley  Special Agent
151 Patton Ave
Room211 Asheville N.C.28801

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