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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: Judith Smith <judzx.smith@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2017 02:33:37 -0800
Subject: FROM THE OFFICE OF:MRS.JUDITH SMITH

FROM THE OFFICE OF:MRS.JUDITH SMITH
Director Foreign Remittance Unit
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC (U.B.A)


IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION VALUED AT (ATM MASTER CARD worth sum of
$3.5,000USD)


It is my modest obligation to write you this letter in regards to the
authorization of your owned payment through our most trusted financial
institution United Bank for Africa Plc (U.B.A).

I AM MRS.JUDITH SMITH, the Director Foreign Remittance Unit U.B.A. The
Nigerian Government, in conjunction with the British Government,
United States GOVERNMENT, WORLD BANK and the UNITED NATIONS
ORGANIZATION on foreign payment matters, has empowered our bank after
much consultation and consideration, to handle all foreign fund
payments and release them to their appropriate beneficiaries account
with the help of a representative from Federal Reserve Bank.


I have registered your ATM MASTER CARD worth sum of $3.5,000USD with
FEDEX COMPANY this morning and we agreed upon that,the delivery of
your ATM Card will take off tomorrow morning, (1)Your Full
Name============= (2)Mobile Phone Number====== (3)Current Home
Address======== (4)Age================ (5)Country====================
(6)State====================== (7)Occupation============= (8)Marital
Status ======= (9)Gender ==========


Yours Faithfully,
Mrs.Judith Smith,
DIRECTOR, REMITTANCE UNIT
U.B.A BANK NIG PLC

Anti-fraud resources: