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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: "Dr. Michael Kortan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <officialservice87@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2018 20:28:53 -0700
Subject: Attention Please; Read And Understand The Content Of This Email

IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Public Affairs Media Relations;
Canada Office.
Telephone: +1 (289) 355-5752
Email: officialservice87@gmail.com

Attention Please; Read and understand the contents of this email word by word before responding.


I am glad to inform you that The International Financial Agencies headed by the world Bank and The IMF have agreed that your overdue fund ($2.7Million USD)payment has been reconciled to be paid through these options below; you are advise to choose one option. It is certain that you will receive your $2.7M USD as soon as you follow the rightly detailed instructions.

Note: To pay your funds ($2.7M USD) through (ATM Debit Card; Bank Draft/Check) Insurance and mailing charges will apply as listed below.

Warning: PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND IF YOU WILL NOT MAKE THE PAYMENT BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY OPTIONS PRESENTED AND OTHERWISE CANNOT BE DONE.


1. Payment through ATM Card cost $100 USD only. (3 days delivery)

2. payment through certified Bank Draft cost $125 USD only. (3 days delivery)

3. payment through Online Banking System cost $150 USD only (3-4 days to clear)

The fee can be paid through either Money gram, Western Union, Walmart, Ria, Money Express, Worldremit, Perfect Money OR by iTunes card, Amazon Card, etc.

Be rest assured that there is 100% guarantee that the fee is the only fee you will pay.

You are advised to choose any of the above options and make the advance payment to enable us process the payment and get everything done without any problem.

The fee will be used to process your payment and delivery.

Warning: PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND IF YOU WILL NOT MAKE THE PAYMENT BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY OPTIONS PRESENTED AND OTHERWISE CANNOT BE DONE.

Get back to me so that I will instruct you on where to send the money.

Reconfirm your:
Full name
Phone numbers
Gender
Current Address
Work


Thanks, I hope to hear from you on time.


Dr. Michael Kortan
IMF Zonal Director
Canada Office.

Anti-fraud resources: