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: "Mr.Kent Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kentwilliams_uba@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2017 15:57:59 +0200
Subject: ATTENTION:URGENT RESPONSES IS NEEDED

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA - AFRICA'S GLOBAL BANK
HEAD OFFICE ADDRESS UBA HOUSE
57 MARINA P.O. BOX 2406 LAGOS NIGERIA
PHONE: +234 903 213 5023
FAX: 234 674 478 8273
 
 
My name is  Kent Williams the director cash processing unit, united bank
for Africa [UBA}.
The international monetary fund (I.M.F.) in conjunction with
Organization of African Unity (O.A.U) has directed us to pay you One
million five hundred thousand united state dollars ($1.500, 000.00) in
cash through means of diplomatic courier service hand delivery.
Take note: Three thousand united state dollars (usd$3,000) have been
mapped out for all expenses in taxes and other documents that matters.
 
Kindly forward your home address and direct phone number for quick delivery.please reply/direct your email to this email kentwilliams_uba@yahoo.com
Regards,
Kent Williams
Director cash processing unit
united bank for Africa. (U.B.A).
PHONE: +234 903 213 5023
FAX: 234 674 478 8273
Email:kentwilliams_uba@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources: