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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: "Dr Jim Ovia" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zenithbanktransfer.bank5@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:47:18 -0400
Subject: Zenith Bank Of Nigeria

Zenith Bank Of Nigeria Opposite shop 228c Alaba International Market Lagos Nigeria. >From the Desk of the Manager, Zenith Bank Of Nigeria. zenithbanktransfer.bank5@gmail.com Attention: , I know this letter will come to you as surprise one but i want you to read this with maturity.This day, one Mrs. Cynthia Edward, came to my office to let us know that you are DEAD and this bitch show you a death certificate to prove that I am dead and before your death, you instructed her to come and I am sorry but why would I send a total stranger to claim my fund of US 4.5 million dollars and this attempt to steel my fund has failed for I am very much alive and you scamming bastard has failed and President Goodluck will be informed of you attempted Grand Larceny and I will see the President put you black ass in jail for a very long time. for the claim of your funds in the tune of US$4.5Million that was long abandoned in your name with Zenith Bank Of Nigeria.So here comes the big questions. 1. Are you the thief I think you are and I am very much alive but after coming to Nigeria to take care of you and your co-conspirator to divert my 4.5 Million you will be placed in a Federal prison for attempting to steel my fund and I did not authorize an total stranger to go to see you to claim my fund and when I show up in your bank, you will know that I am very much alive but you may be left very dead after I put you where you belong and that is in hell for the remainder of your life for I know you as a thief and a scam Aritist and I think that a bastard like you staged this bull shit. (:i) Did you authorize Mrs. Cynthia Edward to come for your claim and my answer is NO. (ii) Are you truly Dead OR Alive; I am alive enough to put you in a grave. If (NO) you are hereby advice as a matter of urgency to reconfirm the details of this message within 24 hours, hence your funds shall be wired into her account without any more delay and I will put a bullet right between your eyes which will make you the dead one. Lastly, you are advice to reconfirm the details of this message and get back immediately with these information's below.. 1.Full name:.. 2.Direct telephone number3.Address: .................... .......... 4.Your personal identification to enable us confirm you are not dead. This information's above must be provided for reconfirmation to Enable us make payment to you, hence, your funds will be remit/wire into her account as already provide to this management. We wait for your urgent response today. You need to act very fast, because if this bank wait for your urgent reply within three working days and did not received any message from you, you will be consider dead, and your funds will be transfer to Mrs. Cynthia Edward. Here is an account provide by Mrs. Cynthia Edward to this bank, are you also the one who ask her to provide this bank account to us which is a lye and whats more the Washington Mutual bank name has not been used in well over one year and the branch displayed below is no longer available and Mrs Cynthia Edward does not have any account in a branch that can not be found. Washington Mutual Bank 2075 S. Victoria Ave Ventura, CA 93003 800 788-7000 Acct. name: Mrs. Cynthia Edward. Type: Checking ABA # 322271627 Acct # 1951204345 Amount: US$4.5 Million. Furthermore, this bank discovered that you have been dealing with some bad eggs officials whom SCAMED some money from you without doing the right thing, Be advice to STOP further communication with them, your funds is now approved for payment, follow the right procedure now. This message demand urgent attention, the bank is waiting to hear from you, do call this below direct number. Mobile Direct Hot Line : +234-70258-42435 Email:zenithbanktransfer.bank5@gmail.com Regards, Dr Jim Ovia

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