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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: "Bank of Ghana Payment Center"<stmservice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <andrewbdoe015@accountant.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2015 05:55:01 -0700
Subject: ATM-801/PAYMENT NOTICE/RESPOND URGENTLY.

Attention: Beneficiary.
                                       IRREVOCABLE PAYMENT ORDER VIA ATM CARD
I am compelled to inform you that after the Board of Directors meeting which seated on this September 2015.  I am here to bring to your notice that after UN/WORLD BANK AUDITORS/WEST AFRICA GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS and BANK OF GHANA (B.O.G) has a meeting with the British Government and United States of American Government officials as we received a report of scam against you, the West African Nations have recompensed you following the meeting held with the Countries leader’s and various countries' high commission for the fraudulent activities carried out by the four countries' Citizens and our Bank of Ghana have been appointed by the West African to handle this compensation payment.
 
Your file appears in my desk two days ago Through World bank officials that you’re among people approved to be paid this approved funds payment of Six million, Eight Hundred Thousand US Dollars (US6, 8 Million USD Signed by World Bank Officials and West African Government Officials, On behalf of Bank of Ghana. The representatives hereby give this irrevocable approval order with Release Code: ATM-801, compensation/inheritance file and after going through it we found out that you have not received your payment and you have not fulfilled the obligations given to you in respect of your Compensation, contract/inheritance fund payment.
 
Kindly re-confirm your information to our Bank office so that our Bank office can precede Immediate for the release of your approved ATM Master Card Payment sum of US6, 8 Million US Dollars to your provided home or office address without further Delays. Also you are hereby advice to stop further communications with those offices that Claim to have your Inheritance Compensation fund in their bank or the other Banks because that are nothing but liar and Impostors.
 
1) Your Full Name. 2) Contact Receiving Address 3) Phone, fax and mobile. 4) Age.
5) Occupation. 6) Your Valid ID for FedEx Confirmation
 
In receipt of the above information, your Inheritance fund payment ATM Master Card will be release to FedEx Shipping Company for successful delivery to your house or office address or you can as well choose to have your Inheritance funds payment through your nominated bank account.
 
You are advised to get back to our bank office immediately for more information listed above.
Thanks.
Mr. Andrew Boye-Doe
Bank of Ghana {B.O.G}
Director Foreign Remittance & ATM Department
E-mail: mr.andrewbdoe@accountant.com

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