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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: "Robert S. Mueller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <offshorecanada@inMail24.com>
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 17:25:33 +0100
Subject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
ATTENTION: FUND BENEFICIARY,
Final Payment Confirmation!
Dear Sir,
This is an official advice from the FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI). It has come to our notice that some certain individuals have used your name as the beneficiary of lottery/inheritance funds worth Millions of United States Dollars.
Its a pity that until this very moment even after using the ATM payment system, you are not able to receive your payment due to one reason or the other. But we are aware of certain elements who have decided to sit on the funds resulting in extortion of money. As a federal agent, we look into legitimate cases. We have checked your records and yours seemed genuine. That is why we are contacting you to make sure that justice is done.
However, due to the increased difficulty and security by the American authorities when funds come from outside of Europe the F.B.I bank commission for North America will oversee your transfer. The new US government of Barack Obama has set up a consolidation account in view of the world Economic down turn to oversee payments like yours and also funds transfer for the World Bank and the rest of the world.
We shall release your funds immediately we receive legal documents and make sure that you get your payment without any further delay.We have decided to contact you directly to acquire the proper verifications and proof from you to show that you are the rightful person to receive this fund, because of the amount involved.
Be informed that the funds are now with a top bank in the United States in your name and under the custody of the FBI, but right now we have ask the bank not to release the fund to anybody until the Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer Document (DIST) is seen in your file. This is to make sure that funds will not be used for terrorist activities against the United States and her allies.
You are to forward the document to us immediately so that we can process your payment.These Conditions Is Valid until  of OCT, 2010. After we shall take actions canceling the payment and then revert funds back to the federation account as unclaimed fund.
Final Instruction for payment will be based on the following terms and conditions.
1. Credit payment instruction: Irrevocable credit guarantee.
2. Beneficiary has full power when validation is cleared.
3. Beneficiaries bank in U.S.A., can only release funds.
4. Upon confirmation from the World Bank / United nations.
5. Bearers must clear bank protocol and validation request.
You are to get back to us urgently to enable us authenticate your file for final payment.
 
We are sorry for what you have gone through and we want to provide justice.
Your corporation is of utmost importance.
Yours Sincerely,
 
Robert S. Mueller, III.
FBI Director.
 

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