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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: "Steve P. Foster" <admin@skmz.dn.ua>
Reply-To: <markd7305@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2017 04:14:36 +0100
Subject: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 
 
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
 
ATM ACTIVATION DEPARTMENT CENTRE.
 
RE: TRANSFER OF ($6 M USD) IN YOUR FAVOUR AS INSTRUCTED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY AND THE UNITED NATIONS.
 
We have received your email and have as well been instructed to release your funds as we have just been contacted by the United States Department of the Treasury and
 
the office of the accountant general of the Federation to transfer the sum of Six Million Dollars ' $6 M USD' to you as the rightful beneficiary of the said funds.
 
Based on the information submitted to our bank, you have to be urgent in this regard as we have limited liquidity in our reserve to pay all the short-listed
 
beneficiaries/contractors.
 
Importantly, the Ministry of Finance has approved that your funds be transferred via a VISA ATM CARD. This is because of Money transfer charges/certificates. The Visa
 
Card mode of transfer is cheaper for you.
 
In furtherance of your fund' s transfer, the Ministry of Finance have approved a ' VISA CARD' mode of transfer.
 
From the records, the total of ($6 M USD) has been approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security in line with the nation' s policy, to pay your
 
outstanding contract/inheritance payment in this Third Quarter, of this fiscal year 2017.
 
Mean while, your VISA ATM CARD will be produced and made available very soon. As soon as that is done i will scan and attach it and send it to you by email for you to
 
view it. Note that this special VISA ATM CARD will allow you to withdraw a maximum of $2,500 per day limit. Though money will be dispensed in accordance with ATM CARD
 
Rules and Regulation in your country.
 
This VISA CARD is acceptable in over 120 countries of the world, including the United States, Mexico, China, Canada and Europe.
 
The VISA CARD mode was approved for you due it' s cost effectiveness.
 
KINDLY RECONFIRM THE FOLLOWING:
 
YOUR FULL NAMES. . . . . .
 
YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS. . . . . . .
 
YOUR AGE, SEX AND OCCUPATION. . . . . . .
 
YOUR CELL PHONE #. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 
Thanks, and we wait for your swift response.
 
PLEASE FILL THE ATTACHED ' ATM CARD FORM' AS APPLICABLE.. . ALSO ATTACHED IS THE APPROVAL CERTIFICATE FROM THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE.
 
Please call me if you need further clarification.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Steve P. Foster.
 
ATM ACTIVATION DEPARTMENT CENTRE.
 
TEL : +1(567) 233-1991
 
 
 
(C) Copyright 2012 - 2017 LCNB National Bank Group Plc.
 

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