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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: "Henry Oroh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atnnzenithdirect@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2016 10:44:10 +0100
Subject: RE: VERY IMPORTANT URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED

This is inform you that a certain MR KEITH MERCER contacted us and notify us that you have been admitted in the hospital with serious illness that would undergo a surgery and this will take a long time for you to further communicate with us here as regards your ATM CARD payment which is ready.
 
 
He then emphasize that before you went into the hospital that you have given to him the power of attorney to receive your payment on your behalf and it will be used for your medical bills and taking care of you after the surgery. He has forward to us his address to where the payment Card would be sent as your next of kin.
 
 
I have taken this opportunity to write to you as your cell phone is not going through to contact you and if I do not hear from you in the next 3 working days it is assume that you are critically ill and would send card as he has accepted to pay for both the delivery charges and the Tax clearance to receive this payment.
 
My number is +233200413066 just in case you get this message.
 
Below is his address that he has sent to us here;
 
MR KEITH MERCER
16 DENHAM LANE
CHALFONT SAINT PETER
GERRARDS CROSS
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
SL9 0EY
ENGLAND
 
I will be waiting and hoping to hear from you sir.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Henry Oroh
 
Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
For
 
Management
Zenith Bank Plc
.............................. .............................. .............................. .............................. ............................
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or  entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential,   proprietary,and/or privileged material. Any review,  retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any  action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities  other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received  this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material  from all computers.'SIGNED: MANAGEMENT.

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