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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: "Paul Donofrio" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pdonofrio.boa@accountant.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2018 07:59:19 +0100
Subject: UN PAYMENT

From: Paul M Donofrio
 
Administrative Department
 
Bank of America USA
 
SUB: REMITTANCE OF YOUR INHERITANCE PART-PAYMENT FUNDS VALUED US$3M 
 
Dearest Beneficiary
 
The Bank of America USA confirms to you that we have just received an instruction/advice from the United Nation spear headed by Ant?nio Guterres, Secretary , United Nation to contact you and release your Inheritance Part-payment funds valued $3,000,000.00 to you through swift telegraphic transfer through our bank here in United States.
 
Based on the received instruction /advice, the Bank of America USA confirms to you that all arrangement for the smooth release of your Part-payment funds has been finalized as you are advised to get back to us confirming that you  will accept the Part-payment so that we can release the funds to you through Swift Telegraphic Transfer.
 
Yours Faithfully
 
Paul M Donofrio
 
Chief Financial Officer 
 
Bank of America

Anti-fraud resources: