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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: Elvis Stevens <bbb@wumm.ee.tn>
Reply-To: <w.auditorsnigeriaann@yandex.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:41:36 -0700
Subject: ARE YOU AWARE

Sir,
RE: UNCLAIMED INHERITANCE/CONTRACTOR PAYMENT

Compliments.

Refer to the above subject, I would like to bring to your notice the present development and progress in your outstanding transaction with UNITED TRUST BANK/Middle EastBanks/African Banks. The sudden changes
in your particulars, as beneficiary and signature in the allocated contractual inheritance approved payment file are visible.

Following the above development, we are set up as World Bank Audition / Compensation Committee here in NIGERIA, and mandated to take over all foreign and delayed payments owed by Nigeria/Government /African Banks. We discovered from available records in our data, funds approved for release and payment in favor of you/your organization foreign inheritance / project executed by you.

Your contact was indicated as the approved beneficiary to this allocation. We tried to reach you on the provided e-mail address which suppose to be yours for needed advice regarding the payment, but cannot get through. Hence this urgent email, and please on receipt of this mail reply and reconfirm your real and direct contact telephone number that you can be reached for information about your approved settlement immediately.

Meanwhile, our major concern is about an application which was just filed to us by a person who claimed to be your representative Mrs. Helen Edwards of United Kingdom. The application was backed up by a “Power of Attorney”. This is suspected to have come from you. The content indicated that, due to a fatal Automobile
accident you recently had, that almost claim your life impelled you to delegate her ( MRS EDWARDS) to come and change your particulars and details as the new beneficiary to receive the approved funds payment in her favor to the “ CITI BANK OF NEW YORK, ACCOUNT NO: 652 007123 @111 WALL STREET” which he provided. She also initiated a move to replace previous information as the beneficiary with IMPROMUNDI UK LTD as the
new, and legitimate beneficiary nominated by you recently, please confirm if this is from you. This will enable us commence the processing and authorization of payment without any further delay.

We herewith, request a final confirmation of facts from you to avoid wrongful payment or diversion of allocation to a wrong beneficiary. We are taking our time in following this supposedly therefore, get back as soon as you receive this information. The payment, which was approved, to be paid out in your favor is ready for immediate release soonest we finalize the required reconciliation with you as the original beneficiary as already in our data records.

Having made these clarifications, do confirm if MRS HELEN EDWARDS is from you with the details about this your transaction. Also, let us know if you actually equipped her with the said Power of Attorney to change the information as informed.

However, further details and guideline awaits upon hearing from your good self with declaration as required herein. REPLY THROUGH THIS E-MAIL w.auditorsnigeriaann@yandex.com

Regards,

Mr. Elvis Stevens.
Personal Secretary to the World Bank Auditors Coordinator.
Sir. Allen Jones.

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