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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: "Mrs. Karen Virginia Mathiasen" <info1@wbg.org>
Reply-To: <philiphang@qq.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2015 10:57:20 -0700
Subject: WBG Advise Letter 09th of July 2015

>From Desk of: Mrs.Karen Virginia Mathiasen.
The Senior Advisor to the Executive Director,
UNITED NATIONS / WORLD BANK ORGANIZATION / FBI
World Bank Group Headquarters
1818 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20433
U.S.A
                                                          
Dear Sir/Madam
 
Re-Release Of Your Fund (US$15.5m).
 
I am Mrs. Karen Virginia Mathiasen, Senior Advisor to the Executive Director, Head of the World Bank Group, Headquarters,
 
set up to fight against scam and fraudulent activities worldwide. This Group is responsible for investigating the
 
legitimacy of unpaid contract, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs the paying
 
authorities (banks) worldwide to make immediate payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.
 
However, you are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund. After a detailed review of your
 
file, the World Bank Group has mandated that your fund should be release immediately The sum of US$15,500.000.00 (FIFTEEN
 
MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY) has been approved in your favor via my desk. I therefore wish
 
to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.
 
Please re-confirm to us the following:
(1) Your Full Name:
(2) Your Address:
(3) Phone, Fax and Mobile Number:
(4) Occupation, Age and Marital status:
 
Note that the above fund has been cleared from terrorist or fraud related activities.
 
Thanks for Your Cooperation.
 
Mrs. Karen Virginia Mathiasen
Senior Advisor to the Executive Director
Head of the World Bank Group.
U.S.A
 

Anti-fraud resources: