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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: "IMF, UK" <sandaswallace_imfuk@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: sswallace_imfuk@foxmail.com
Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2016 09:15:47 -0000
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

YOUR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
-------------------------

Sir/Madam,

Considering worldwide reports of non-payment of funds owed to
beneficiaries in some parts of the world especially from African
countries, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have jointly
agreed to offset some of the bills.

In a recent joint meeting held, we have agreed to pay you the sum of
US$2.5 Million since you are one of the beneficiaries in the list. This
approved sum is imminent with two Prime Banks in the United Kingdom, UK.

Please get back to me your fund's payment directives through Email:
sswallace_imfuk@foxmail.com

Regards,

Mrs. Sandas Wallace
Regional Coordinator
IMF Monitoring Unit.


Anti-fraud resources: