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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: "Dr Ahmed Idris" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <swiftdepartment1750@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2017 00:12:38 +0100
Subject: YOUR FUND IS READY FOR PICK UP

Dear Friend

I am Dr Ahmed Idris Director in charge of the compensation funds to scam victims from IC3. The Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement agreement with IC3 to settle all scam Victim, If you sent money to a Company/Individual you are entitled.

After proper and several investigations and research at Western Union and Money Gram Office, we found your name in Western Union database through Western Union to Nigeria, South Africa, United Kingdom, Malaysia, United States, Benin republic and other countries.

However, in other to compensate you, the financial intelligence unit in conjunction with the IC3 from Counter-terrorism Division is giving out $850,000 dollars each via Western Union as we have initiated the Transfer this afternoon.

Please kindly go to any nearest western union and pick up the money then call me back to send you another $5,200 USD. I will be sending $5,200 USD per day due to western union restriction rate till we complete the total of $850,000 USD. My direct phone line is +234-7065433254. Call or Email me once you picked up the money today to enable me send another $5,200 USD.

Here is the Western Union information to pick up the $5,200 that was sent today. To confirm your MTCN visit https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/send-money/app/tracktransfer

MTCN Number: #418-892-1990
Sender’s Name:Ahmed Idris
Senders Country: Nigeria
Amount: $5,200.00
Question: when
Answer: Today

I am waiting for your call once you pick up this $5,200. Please E-mail me your direct telephone number so that once I make another payment I will call you for the MTCN. Thanks

Yours Sincerely,
Dr Ahmed Idris
Office Of The Accountant General{FGN}

Anti-fraud resources: