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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: "Dr. Lisa Antonio F. Castillo" <devineseguros8@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:10:01 +0000
Subject: urgent


This is to notify you of a new order on the release of your contract fund.
You have been reported to be sick and hospitalized for about Two months now
by your representative Eng. Williams Okon and your partner Mr. Howard Woods
of United State forwarding the below account for the transfer of Partition
payment of (US$3.5M) of your contract fund as instructed by you with power
of attorney tendered to us today. Please Verify these information;

Account Name: Howard Renee Woods
His Phone: +18087721482
Bank Name: AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK
Address: 700 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815 USA.
Account Number: 8002999709
Swift Code: 321370765
Beneficiary: Howard Renee Woods

My office was ordered after meeting held in the presidential village
Aso-Rock Abuja to contact and proceed with payment of your
Contract/inheritance Funds by informing you that the former bank in charge
of your payment being Hsbc Bank plc, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Eco Bank, ETC
is no longer in charge of this payment.

I wish to inform you that you're (US$3.5M) outstanding payment has been
approved and ready to be paid but we want to confirm first from you by
giving you our mode of payment this arrangement was agreed between the
Presidency and the Senate Committees so take note that we have (3) modes of
Payment:

(1) Diplomatic Delivery: That Is Cash Payment Funds Will Be Delivered To
Your Address by a Government Accredited Diplomat.

(2) ATM Card Payment: An ATM Card Will Be Charged With This Amount with
Limited Withdrawals per Day.

(3) Bank to Bank wire transfer

I will require you to get back to this office with your decision over a
Chosen mode of payment and we will take it from there. You can reach me
Direct Line: +2348054078890
.
Best regards,
Mrs Pet Opara
Special Adviser to Mr. President

Anti-fraud resources: