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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: "Mr. Hafez Ghanem" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrhafezghanem@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2018 16:41:02 +0300
Subject: From World Bank {African Region}...

WORLD BANK {African Region}
Plot 433, Ecowas Road
P.O. Box 2826, Garki
Abuja, Nigeria.
 
Attn: Beneficiary,
 
We hereby officially notify you about the present arrangement to pay you, your over-due contract fund valued at Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only {US$8.5M} through {MASTER ATM CARD}. This arrangement was initiated/constituted by the World Bank, Paris Club and International Monetary Fund {I.M.F} due to fraudulent activities going on within the African Region.
 
The World Bank, Paris Club and International Monetary Fund {I.M.F} introduced this payment arrangement as to enable our contractors/inheritance beneficiaries to receive their funds without any interference. The Master Card was contracted and powered by GOLD CARD WORLDWIDE.
 
To this end, you are required to forward your payment information as follows to enable us load your funds into the card with your information and deliver it to your door-step as the BANKERS COURIER SERVICES are in-charge of the delivery services to your destination.
 
1}. Your Full Name{s}:-
 
2}. Current Contact Address:-
 
3}. Your Present Occupation:-
 
4}. Your Age:-
 
5}. Contact Phone Numbers{Office and Mobile{Cell}:-
 
6}. Your Private/Confidential E-mail Address,if it is different:-
 
7}. Your Nationality:-
 
8}. A Scanned Copy of Your Identification:-
 
Upon the receipt of this mail we are going to load your funds into the Master Express Credit Card and send a scan copy of the card to you before we will proceed to dispatch the card through BANKERS COURIER SERVICES to you. You are only going to take care of the delivery charges. Awaiting your immediate response as soon as you receive this mail.
 
CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE!!!
 
Best Regards,
 
Mr. Hafez Ghanem,
Contact Person,
World Bank {African Region}.
 

Anti-fraud resources: