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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: "EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sanlam001@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:55:05 -0800
Subject: URGENT,

Attn: Dear Beneficiary,
 
RELEASE OF YOUR OVERDUE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE FUNDS PAYMENT NO: NNPC/FGN/FMF/021/10
 
During our routine check yesterday, we discovered the transfer of US$10.5M which was approved on your name and particulars as the true beneficiary, but the fund transfer destination was scheduled to a bank of American account numbers with the name of James Watson as your representative bank account owner and not your bank account, due to this suspicious discovery, I decided to suspend the fund transfer until I hear from you and get your consent to release the US$10.5M fund transfer either to you or Mr. James Watsons bank account. Please if you are not the one who authorize James Watson to receive this fund payment on your behalf, then you are required to send us your information so that I can effect the transfer of your fund to you as stated below;
 
 
(1) Your Full Name.
(2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.
(3) Company's name, position and address.
(4) Profession, age and marital status.
(5) Your bank account details where the fund transfer will be remitted to you immediately as follows;
Bank Name
Bank Address
Swift Code
Routing No
Account No
Account Name.
 
 
But if I did not hear from you within 72 hours with your designated bank account details and a copy of your ID for proper identification, I will have no other option than to release the US$10.5M fund transfer to Mr. James Watsons bank account successfully as scheduled.
 
Anticipating your urgent reply.
 
 
Kindly email me on: sanlam001@gmail.com for further action on your fund transfer.
Best regards,
DR. SANUSI LAMIDO
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
 
CC: SENATE PRESIDENT
CC: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
CC: ALL FOREIGN PAYMENT OFFICES
CC: BOARD OF DIRECTORS [FPD]
CC: ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION

Anti-fraud resources: