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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: "EFCC FRAUD MONITORING UNIT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <efcc.nigeria@cyberservices.com>
Date: Sun, 15 May 2011 08:17:44 +0800
Subject: ABORT ALL TRANSACTIONS NOW !!!

Attention,

After proper and several investigations and research at Western Union and MoneyGram Office, we found your name
in Western Union database amongst those that have sent money through Western Union to Nigeria and neighboring countries indicating that you have truly been swindled by those unscrupulous persons. We presently are
working hand in hand with Western Union to track every down fraudsters and advise you not to respond to their e-mails,
letters and phone calls any longer to avoid being a victim

In this regard a meeting was held between the Board of Directors of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) United States Of America and it was agreed that all Victims of Scam should be compensated to the tune of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand United States Dollars ($120,000).This will be transferred to you out of the funds that Federal Government of Nigeria and The United Nations Organization (UNO) has set aside for compensation to everyone who have in one way or the other been swindled.

WARNING!!!!***Please note that we will no longer be liable for any loss, cost or expense whatsoever, suffered
or incurred by You in connection with the fraudsters. Be warned!

We have deposited your fund at Western Union Money Transfer agent location EMS Post office Lagos, Nigeria.
We have submitted your details to them so that your fund can be transferred to you. We have also insured your fund for security reasons and to avoid misappropriation.

Contact the Western Union agent office through any of the email
addresses stated below;

Phone : +234-816-877-3966

Email : wu_rdp@rediffmail.com


Yours sincerely,

Richard Wales,
Investigation Officer.
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Please note that e-mails, letters and phone calls are currently been made to unsuspecting persons by fraudsters
claiming to have access to their funds. Everyday, people throughout the world are falling victim to scams of one
way or the other. It could be an unexpected prize draw or lottery win, or a chance to invest in an exciting new
money-making or investment program . In the circumstance, we unreservedly advice you to dissociate yourself
from all correspondence and transactions entered into based on evidently fraudulent and fictitious claims.
***************************************************************************************************************************

Anti-fraud resources: