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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: MARTINS OFFOR <benchikezie134@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:

ATTN:BENEFICIARY,

YOUR URGENT RESPONSE IS NEEDED.

I AM MRS.MARY ADAMS,THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE
DIRECTOR,INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE OFFICE.WE WISH TO INFORM YOU OF A
NEW DEVELOPMENT IN REGARD TO TRANSFER OF YOUR FUNDS.THIS OFFICE HAS
BEEN INSTRUCTED TO VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY OF A CLAIM WE RECEIVE FROM
CERTAIN GENTLEMEN IN RESPECT TO YOUR PAYMENT.

YOUR PAYMENT FILE FOR YOUR TOTAL FUNDS WAS FORWARD TO OUR OFFICE WITH
A POWER OF ATTORNEY AUTHORIZED BY YOU,FROM MR. ROBERT DONCAN,A
CANADIAN,CLAIMING TO BE YOUR AGENT AND ATTORNEY,TO PAY YOUR FUNDS INTO
THE UNDER STATED BANK ACCOUNT INSTEAD OF YOUR ORIGINAL ACCOUNT.WE HAVE
TO CONTACT YOU FIRST BEFORE REMITTANCE IS MADE SINCE EVERY DOCUMENT
IN OUR FILE BEARS YOUR NAME/COMPANY'S NAME. THE ACCOUNT ATTACHED TO
THE POWER OF ATTORNEY IS AS STATED BELOW.

BANK: BANK OF AMERICA
ADDRESS:222 BROADWAY,NEW YORK CITY,NEW YORK 10038,U.S.A
ACCOUNT NO.:291019259
SWIFT CODE: BOFAUS3N
ROUTING NO.: 081904808
BENEFICIARY:ROBERT AND ASSOCIATES

YOU ARE REQUIRED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY TO AUTHENTICATE AND VERIFY
YOUR APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE ACCOUNT AS SUBMITTED BY YOUR AGENTS,IF
OTHERWISE YOU ARE PLEASED REQUESTED TO RECONFIRM TO THIS
OFFICE,IMMEDIATELY YOUR ORIGINAL BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS.YOU ARE ALSO
ADVISED TO ATTACH ANY OF YOUR MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION,EITHER
INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT OR DRIVER'S LICENSE IN YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS
MAIL.

ENSURE YOU COPY YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS TOO:
redacted@domain.name

I EXPECT YOUR URGENT RESPONSE

YOUR FAITHFULLY,

DR.MARTINS OFFOR

Anti-fraud resources: