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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Thomas Paul Arkwright <sss@lontey.cf>
Reply-To: <www.info_adbank@yahoo.com.sg>
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2016 01:56:18 -0800
Subject: Did you Authorize Mr. Bernard Walter of Texas,USA to claim your fund ?

Attn: Sir,
Did you Authorize Mr. Bernard Walter of Texas,USA to claim your fund ? Base on the power of Attorney he presented to us here which he claimed to be signed by you to release part-payment of $20,500,000.00 from your fund into his nominated account.
To avoid any kind or irregularities, as your payment is ready for telegraphic transfer, you have to inform us properly on the truth of the matter so that we can take the right decision. According to the instruction we received this morning from the Credit Department that this fund has been waiting for remittance for over 2 years.
Kindly re-confirm to me the following information:
1. Your full name and residential address
2. Phone, fax and mobile number
3. Company name, position and address

4. Marital status and a copy of your identification (either passport or drivers license)
You are also advised not to respond to any email or fax concerning your fund from anybody who claims to be your agent or representative. This is for your fund security reasons. However, disregard any information or instruction that is not from me in respect of your fund.
I don't want this transaction to go over this week without being completed. Comply with every instruction I give to you.
Yours faithfully,

African Development Bank.
George mathin
+2348182609731

Anti-fraud resources: