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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: "REV FR. KENNETH WILLIAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <revfrwilliams17@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017 07:21:35 -0400
Subject: ++RE:YOUR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION (IN GOD WE TRUST).

Desk of International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Inconjunction with United Nation,Federal Reserved Bank,
Office of accountant general,US Treasury Department On
Payment Reconcilation committee Board
 
From: Rev Fr. Kenneth Williams
Head of Remittance Department
 
 
Attention please:
 
RE:YOUR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
 
This is to officially inform you that one Mrs. Cynthia Edward,came to my office to let me know that you are DEAD and before your death, you instructed her to come for the claim of your fund which worth the sum of US$10.5 Million,that was long abandoned fund in your name with IMF,UN,BANKS.So here comes the big question....
 
 
(i) Did you authorize Mrs. Cynthia Edward to come for your claim?
(ii) Are you truly Dead or Alive?
 
If (NO) you are hereby advice as a matter of urgency to reconfirm the details of this message within 24/48 hours, hence your FUNDS shall be release to her without any more delay.
 
 
Below is the information provided by Mrs. Cynthia Edward to this bank, are you also the one who ask her to provide this bank account information to us?
 
 
Washington Mutual Bank
2075 S. Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
800 788-7000
Acct. Name: Mrs. Cynthia Edward.
ABA # 322271627
Account # 1951204345
Amount: US$10.5 Million.
 
 
Note Mrs. Cynthia Edward suppose/wanted to send the sum of $1,950 for the change of Certificate of Ownership fee but we want to be very sure if you are truely dead or you are the person that instructed Mrs. Cynthia Edward for the claim of your fund.Please if you are still alive, you are kindly advised to send the re-validattion/notarization fee of $95 for Certificate of Ownership for your own good.
 
 
Please if you are not dead call this number immediately. +1 253 2000 637 and speak with the manager Rev Fr. Kenneth Williams
 
FIND BELOW INFORMATION FOR THE PAYMENT RECEIVER'S NAME OF RE-VALIDATION/NOTARIZATION CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP
 
RECEIVER'S  NAME:  STEVE .E. TYSON
ADDRESS: VINELAND,NEW JERSEY USA
Amount : $95
MTCN...................................
Sender Name
Sender Address:
Scan copy of the WU/Moneygram payment is needed for verification.
 
 
We wait for your urgent response. You need to act very fast, because if this bank wait for your urgent reply Within 72hrs without hearing from you or receive any message from you, you will be consider dead, and your funds will be sent to Mrs. Cynthia Edward. An immediate telephone call will be better on +1 253 2000 637 so that you can speak with the Rev Kenneth Williams  or you email me.
 
Best Regards,
 
Rev Fr. Kenneth Williams
Head of Remittance Department
 

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