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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Fred Mbahh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <freddmbah@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2011 02:51:44 -0800
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary,

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Garki 12, Abuja- Nigeria
Telephone phone: + 234-802 770 6668  
 
Our Ref: SCB/CBN/FMF/INHERITANCE/CONTRACT: MAV/FGN/2011 
 
Attention: Beneficiary,  
 
During the auditing and closing of all financial records of Banks by the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions in Nigeria, it was discovered from the records of outstanding foreign inheritance beneficiaries/contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2010 that your name is next on the list of those who will receive their funds.  
 
I wish to officially notify you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in our file, your outstanding payment is USD$6.500, 000.00 (Six Million five hundred thousand United States Dollars).  
 
Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your records and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delays.  
 
1) Your full name
2) Telephone/ mobile numbers
3) Company name, position and address
4) Profession, age and marital status
6) A scanned copy of your Identity Card  
 
As soon as the above information is received, your payment will be made available by the appointed bank via Telegraphic Transfer (TT) or by diplomatic means. You should send me an e-mail as soon as you receive this letter for further clarification.
 
Yours faithfully,
Dr .Fred Mbah
Deputy Chairman, SENATE COMMITTEE ON BANKS

Anti-fraud resources: