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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: "Giacomo De Giorgi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrgiacomodegiorgi1@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2017 21:34:50 -0700
Subject: Instruction to credit your account with $5.3m

Dear esteemed customer,
 
This is to officially bring to your notice that we have finally verified your account and have found it eligible to receive your outstanding payment of $5,350,000.00 been part payment of your inherittance fund which was withheld by Reserve Bank of New York as a result of your inability to pay some outrageous charges levied against you by some bank officials for their selfish interest which is against the bank stipulated policies. However, it might interest you that the bank has resolved all issues beyond your payment and you can now receive your fund as soon as possible.
 
By this development, Reserve bank of New York has put all necessary bank to bank wire transfer facilities to enable us have a smooth and hitch free wire transfer of your fund $5,350,000.00. You are only required to reconfirm your bank wire transfer details to enable us process final release documents and fund will be wired without any further delay.
 
Thanks for your understanding.
 
Mr. Giacomo De Giorgi
Head of Operations.

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