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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: "Farouk Yola" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chateredwirebankgrp@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2009 11:25:49 -0700
Subject: Compensation funds

 
VERY IMPORTANT=READ CAREFULLY.
 
Dear Beneficiary,
 
 
 
You are enjoined to read this letter to the finish line in your own interest.
 
Following the newly revised international regulatory policy by the United Nation (U.N), a mandate was given that all undelivered & Seized Consignment funds, Cheque, Bond, Securities, Bank draft and ATM card should be returned to the Ministry of Finance in Nigeria for confiscation due to none compliance.
 
 
 
After these funds got to the Ministry of Finance, in order to maintain international relationship and ensure equity, the ministry of finace has carried out an intensive investigation which proved that you have never at anytime recieved any of your funds and the Secretary did not notify you before the return of all prizes. In view of this, the Ministry of Finance set up a committe to verify names for compensation and you have been enlisted as one of the ten (10) people to be compensated with the sum of Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($500,000.00).
 
 
 
A telegraphic wire transfer will be made with available balance deposit of $500,000 has been issued in your favour. You are advise to provide your account info to enable us make a tranfer to your bank account.
 
 
 
All you have to pay now is just a fee of $150 being fee for the transfer charges of your fund. the Minister of Finance (Remi Babalola) ordered that all the funds deposited here in CHATERED BANK for registration and immediate release to the respective beneficiaries in order to avoid misappropriation and the transfer fee was paid immediately pending when you contact the bank in charge. So, the $150 is a fee the BANK will require for the immediate transfer of your fund in order to avoid misappropriation of your FUNDS by insecured security measures.
 
 
 
You are to contact the BANK in charge with your details for immediate TRANSFER, but, do not forget to quote your five (5) digit security numbers (90011).
 
 
 
AGENT: PROF ASHOK SODJE
EMAIL: chatteredbank22@sbcglobal.net
PHONE: +234 802 626 2996.
 
You are advised to send the BANK, TRANSFER fee of $150 to the name of account officer below and then send the money transfer control numbers to him together with a reconfirmation of the following details for identification of your FUND:
 
YOUR FULL NAMES:...
DELIVERY ADDRESS:..
DIRECT PHONE:......
AMOUNT SENT:......$150
RECIEVER'S NAME:....OSAS HENRY
LOCATION:...........70 int'l airport rd., Mafoluku, LAGOS-NIGERIA
QUESTION:........COLOR?
ANSWER:..........WHITE
M.T.C.N:.........
 
 
 
After sending the $150 Safe keeping fee, confirm the ten digit money transfer control numbers to the agent above with your details and your FUNDS shall be transfer immediately to you.
 
NOTE: PLEASE USE YOUR SECURITY CODE:.....(90011) AS THE SUBJECT OF YOUR CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE BANK.
 
 
Thank you for your understanding and appreciation.
 
Yours faithfuly,
Farouk Yola
PERMANET SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF FINANCE.
 
 

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