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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: "Dr. Stanley I. Lawson" <drlawsonstanley@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrlawson2014@yandex.com
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 2016 06:43:20 -0600
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA MARINA,LAGOS-NIGERIA. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER. LEICE=
STER CURRENCY CHEQUE/DRAFT DEPARTMENT TELEGRAM: FBNFOREX Dear Sir/Madam, I =
am Dr. Stanley I. Lawson, Director Allocation Department from the (Central =
Bank of Nigeria) Lagos Branch.My office monitors and controls the affairs o=
f all banks and Financial institutions in Nigeria concerned with foreign cl=
aim payments. I am the final signatory to any transfer or remittance of hug=
e funds moving within banks both on the local and international levels in l=
ine with foreign claim settlements. I have before me list of funds, which c=
ould not be transferred to some nominated accounts as these accounts have b=
een identified either as ghost accounts,unclaimed deposits or over-invoiced=
sum. 0n this note, I wish to have a deal with you as regards to an unpaid =
fund. I have a file before me and the data's are correct and un-tampered. A=
s it is my duty to recommend the transfer of these surplus funds to the Fed=
eral Government Treasury and Reserve Accounts as unclaimed deposits, I have=
the opportunity to write you based on the instructions I received two days=
ago from the Foreign Debts reconciliation dept to submit the List of payme=
nt reports / expenditures and audited reports of revenues. Among several ot=
hers, I have decided to remit your claim sum following my idea that we can =
have a deal/agreement and I am g oing to do this legally. My conditions: 1.=
The sum of $150 Million USD only will be transfer into your account after =
the proccessing of all relevant legal documents with your name as the bonfi=
de beneficary,the transfer will be made by Draft or telegraphic Transfer (T=
/T), confirmable in 3 working days. 2. This deal must be kept secret foreve=
r, and all correspondence will be strictly by email / telephone, for securi=
ty purposes. 3. There should be no third parties as most problem associated=
with your fund release are caused by your agents or representative. 4. Not=
e that after the successful completion of this transaction,you and I will h=
ave a fair share of the fund in the ratio of 30:70. If you AGREE with my co=
nditions, l advise you on what to do immediately and the transfer will comm=
ence without delay as I will proceed to fix your name on the Payment schedu=
le instantly to meet the three days mandate. 1. Your Full Name 2. Current A=
ddress 3. Direct Phone/Fax Number 4 Occupations 5. Age. 6. International Pa=
ssport Or id Card I hope you don't reject this offer and have this funds tr=
ansferred. Waiting for your reply soon. Yours faithfully, DR. Stanley I. La=
wson.

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