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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: "REV. JOHN MARK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev.johnmark001@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:51:24 +0100
Subject: Our Ref: SBP/FGN/00-XX/10....URGENT

SKYE BANK INTL PLC
PLOT 270 OZUMBA MBADIWE AV,
VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS NIGERIA
OFFICE LINE: 234-1-7931997
DIRECT LINE: 234-802-0306526
EMAIL: rev.johnmark001@gmail.com 
 
From the office of:
Rev. John Mark
Director Foreign Operation
Skye Bank Intl Plc
 
Our Ref: SBP/FGN/00-XX/10
 
Attn: Satisfied Beneficiary,
 
We deem it necessary to communicate you directly on the recent decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria after an agreement was with the representatives of World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (Africa Region).
 
In the spirit globalization, this prompted the government's most appreciated policy on debt servicing and reshufflement as it affects most of our creditors. We authoritatively inform you that the Federal Government has directed us to immediately arrange your payment through a VISA CARD and deliver to you the sum of capital; interest accrued from your withheld Inheritance fund dating from the time of lodgment in our bank SKYE BANK INT'L PLC pending when issues restricting the release of your entire payment is resolved by this present government.
 
In accordance with this directive, we have finally checked and confirmed that your withheld yielded an interest payment US$2.3M. In the spirit of reconciliation we legally advise that you make a formal application for the delivery of the VISA CARD of your money to your address in your country. You are advice to contact me the director of Foreign Operation office our bank Rev. John Mark on direct Tel: 234-802-0306526 Email: rev.johnmark001@gmail.com for immediate action. Forward the following details to this office in your urgent respond.
 
1)   Your Full names and Address
2)   Your Direct Phone Number
3)   Your Occupation and Age
4)       Your ID Card
 
We appreciate your kind understanding.
 
Rev John Mark
Foreign Operation Office
Skye Bank Intl Plc

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