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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: "John Awuah" <info@cleaneng.pt>
Reply-To: customercare@merchantbank.or.at.vc
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2015 01:39:06 -0800
Subject: URGENT RETRIEVED FUND

Universal Merchant Bank Operation,
Atm/Online Banking Division,
Accra Ghana

Attn: Mr.

Following Online eBanking, a transaction fund from the West Africa Monetary Zone, a sum US$10,000,000.00 Ten Million United States Dollars retrieved from auditor report of this bank referring for onward credit to designate bank account as the Sole Beneficiary of the remains.

You should confirm the receipt of this email urgently indicating your interest to champion the receiving of the fund to your bank account by including your details and telephone number to enable us make the transfer to you without further delay.

Upon the confirmation of your details, you might be invited to United Kingdom or United States of America for Cash clearance payment system.
.
Waiting your prompt reply


John Awuah
Managing Director

Anti-fraud resources: