joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Jacob J. Lew" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jacobjlew@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 12:42:45 -0800
Subject: GET BACK TO ME ASAP

 
Attn'
 
I am Jacob J. Lew, Secretary of the Treasury under the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
 
At the recently concluded meeting with the World Bank and the United Nations, an agreement was reached between both parties for us to settle all outstanding payments accrued to individuals/corporations with respect to local and overseas contract payment, debt re-scheduling and outstanding compensation payment. Fortunately, you have been selected alongside a few other beneficiaries to receive your own payment of $1,000000 (One Million United States Dollars only).
 
We have been notified that you are yet to receive your fund valued at $1,000000. This money will now be transferred to Polremit account holder then you can move to your local bank account.
 
You are advised to kindly reply this email with the below details enclosed to help us process your payment;
 
1 Full Names..
2 Residential Address..
3 Country of Residence..
4 Age:
5 Phone/Cell Number..
6 Occupation..
 
 
Feel Free to contact me below is my telephone number;
(202) 622-2000  (Email if I did not pick may be busy with meetings).
 
Looking forward to hearing from you and God Bless America.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Jacob J. Lew
Secretary of the Treasury
(U.S. Department of the Treasury)

Anti-fraud resources: