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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: "DOUGLAS RICHARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <douglasrichardptm@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2019 22:24:08 +0200
Subject: Hello Beneficiary......PAYMENT

Hello Beneficiary,
 
This is to acquaint you on the outcome of our 3 days meeting with U.N International Financial Investigation Unit and the Association of Better Business Bureau to compensate scam victims upon due verification and Approval, we have jointly approved US$20.5 million (Twenty million, Five hundred thousand United States Dollars) for every confirmed victim. Your E-mail address was generated through the computer ballot system as one of the selected victim to receive this compensation.
 
However, adequate arrangement has been put in place for you to reclaim your fund and also for your fund to be dole out to you through Bank Transfer, Bank Direct Deposit or by issuing an ATM Card to you which would be mailed to your address.
 
Finally; for the purpose of proper verification of your claims, it is imperative that you furnish us with the following of your details necessary to process release/remittance of your payment:
 
1) Your Full Name……………
2) Your Mobile Number and Fax……….
3) Your Home address………………
4) Your age and Occupation
5) Your Bank Details.
 
You are expected to reply to this email with the above requested information:
 
NOTE: You are also requested to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitch in receiving your payment as Scheduled, You must know that United Nations does not send consignment box or Cash to Beneficiaries, any contact you had or still having with any delivery agent is a scam.
 
Cordially,
 
 
Dr. Douglas Richard,
Department Of Treasury Direct-Account
United Nations Fund's Remittance

Anti-fraud resources: