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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: "Janet Napolitano" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nigcustom@blumail.org>
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2010 14:02:56 -0700
Subject: U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

HOMELAND SECURITY SERVICE
Secretary Janet Napolitano
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
10/10/2010
 
 
 
Attention:,
 
 
 
 
 
This is to officially inform you that your ATM SWIFT CARD is in our custody and we have investigated and find out that your are the true owner of the said ATM CARD, we want to let you know that there are some related documents that is needed before we will proceed for the final delivery of the said ATM CARD to you, The said payment after due investigation by our monetary unit this day was carried out contrary to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Financial regulation, guiding against Global (Illegal) money laundry, which also contravenes Section 3 Article 56B of the 1999 Homeland Security Company constitution on foreign payment allied matter.
 
 
In view of the above development, with full apology for the delay on delivery of your ATM CARD, we wish to remind you of the consequence of delivery such huge amount of money loaded in the ATM within and outside the country without complying fully with the related documents from the origin of the said ATM CARD. You are hereby advice to get back to us with the Custom Clearance Certificate and the Yellow Tag Certificate for the final release of your ATM CARD for you to be free to use it any were in the World, you are to contact the Custom office in Nigeria to obtain the requested documents so that your ATM CARD will be finally release to you.
 
 
 
 
 
That the beneficiary must pay the sum of US$95.00 Dollars for the security keeping fee to the Nigerian Custom Service, this mandatory obligation which will duly guarantee and cover the approved ATM payment which has been issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria being legitimately acquired by the beneficiary of the said ATM Card. Be notified that the above subject matter as it relate to this US Homeland Security Company statutory financial guideline is non negotiable as the ATM has already been issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. You are hereby advised to send the above mentioned amount to the Nigerian Custom Service.
 
 
 
 
 
Below is the contact detail of the Custom in Nigeria.
 
 
Nigeria Custom Service
Contact person: Mr. Mark Uwen
E-mail: nigcustom@blumail.org
 
 
 
Bear with us as your earliest response to this important matter will enable us release your ATM CARD to you.
 
 
 
 
Secretary Janet Napolitano
Department of Homeland Security
 
 

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