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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: "FBI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <roberfbimuellerd1@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:28:55 -0000
Subject: OFFICIAL WARNING !

ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONETARY CRIMES DIVISION
FBI HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
FBI-Washington Field Office
601 4th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20535
 
ATTENTION:Fund Beneficiary.
 
OFFICIAL WARNING FROM THE FBI FOREIGN REMITTANCE/TELEGRAPHIC DEPT.:
It has been discovered that your contract/inheritance/winning FUND was
aboutbeing transferred to an unknown account under your name. This attempt
was
perpetrated by someone who claims to be working for you, and that you have
given him due authority to have the FUND moved to the new account, I
received a mail this morning from a woman claiming to be your true
representative. Here is her information for you to confirm to this office if
this woman is truly from you or not so that we will not be held responsible
for paying into the wrong account.
 
Name: Evelyn K Sak
Receiving Bank: Bank of America
Address: 1818 E. North Ave.Belton, Missouri 64012 USA.
Account Name: Evelyn K Sak
Routing Number: 026009593
Account Number: 355006685124
 
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) waded in after being alerted by
 
Anti Fraud Unit.We investigated and found that there is a possible money
laundering activity in play. The FUND (US$12,000,000.00) was found to be
deposited in BANKin your name pending your consent to have it
transferred to the new account.
It was further revealed that initial FUND transfer originated
from Africa is ready to transfer to your Account also this
transfers did not follow due process in line with the international FUND
transfer rules and regulation.
Consequently, we suspect this be a terrorism funding, drug related fund
deposit and/or money laundering. As stated above, the FUND has your name on
it; and you must have it cleared of any connection with any of these illegal
 
activities. Be informed that FAILURE to have this cleared out will attract a
JAIL TERM. We will not hesitate to visit the full weight of the law upon you
 
if you do not clear this fund. There is every indication that you are
involved
in this shady deal.
Finally, you will be
free of any involvement. Contact me as soon as possible for any question and
further clarification.
This has to be cleared! You are warned!
Faithfully Yours
Robert Mueller
FBI Director
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
FBI-Washington Field Office
601 4th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20535
www.fbi.org

Anti-fraud resources: