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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: "Mrs Sarah Swimms" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <oyob22@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:28:37 -0700
Subject: Your Email Have Emerge a Lucky Winner

>From Microsoft Online Promotion Coordinator and Central Bank of Nigeria Remittance Director

Kind Attention,

Your Email have emerge a lucky winner of $750,000 {Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand US DOLLAR} in our Microsoft End of Year Online Promotions; Your email id was attached to Ticket Batch Number: YM 1109102XN with Security Authentication Ref Number: YM354437XN, which subsequently won you the prize in our Third Category Draw held on 10th June, 2011.

Please note that we have verified your winning and concluded every arrangement towards making the payment of your winning prize. Be informed that the Central Bank of Nigeria would make the payment to you once we receive your reply back.

We held a prolonged meeting this morning with the Bank’s Foreign Remittance Director and your winning details was given to them to make a total payment transfer of $750,000 {Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand US DOLLAR} to you unconditionally.

The sum of 750,000 {Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds} will be given to you as a winner and you need to choose one of the below option below you prefer on how you will like to receive your prize.

OPTION ONE: A Verified Cashier check will be send to you and it will take only 38 hours to get the Verified Cashier check cleared in any bank world wide and it will include it back up document to prove the check is legit.

OR

OPTION TWO: A Visa/Mastercard Credit Card ATM CARD with security Pin will be send to you and you can use it to make transaction and withdraw from any ATM MACHINE WORLD WIDE and it daily limit is 14,000 pounds per day.

I want you to make a choice and get back to me with the option you prefer and also get back to me with the required details listed below to enable the shipment of the prize package to you once we receive your reply back.

TITLE...............................................................
NAME IN FULL.................................................
NATIONALITY:......... .......................................
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE...............................
CONTACT ADDRESS....... ......................... ......
SEX:................................................................
DATE OF BIRTH:..............................................
AGE:................................................................
OCCUPATION:.................................................
TELEPHONE:....................................................
MARITAL STATUS:..........................................


YOU HAVE ONLY FEW WORKING DAYS TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE AND I AM AFRAID THAT ANY FURTHER DELAY MAY LEAD TO AUTOMATIC CANCELLATION OF THIS OFFER TO YOU.

We sincerely apologies for the delay; Congratulations, Once Again!!!

Mrs Sarah Swimms,
Microsoft Online Promotion Coordinator.
Microsoft Corporation Inc.
E342 Wing Square, Lagos, Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources: