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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 UK Internet Fraud Watch/Alert <larrywhite.fbiinternetdept@live.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:41:01 -0200
Subject: OFFICER IN-CHARGE:


OFFICER IN-CHARGE:
NAME: Mr. Larry White @
FBI UK Internet Fraud Watch/Alert
Phone: +447045750924
E-mail:larrywhite.fbiinternetdept@live.com


ATTENTION:


The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has discovered through our
intelligence Monitoring Network, that you have an ongoing transaction with
Charles Stanley (Cole and Cole associate chambers), as the Beneficiary of
the said ($ 155,600,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Five million Six Hundred
thousand United States Dollars), being deposited in (Barclays BANK) London
by the late Graham Robert.


I have consecutively sent you this email regarding this transaction you
have with the Cole and Cole associate in regard to the bequest of Graham
Robert. I have monitored this transaction closely, and I discover that you
are skeptical about this transaction and as a result, you are delaying the
transfer process with the transferring bank. However, I think you really
don't have any reason to be scared as this fund really do exist and was
willed to you, it’s currently deposited in a domiciliary account for
Graham Robert. Mr. Charles Stanley ESQ however informed me that the reason
why he was unable to handle the fee required by the bank is because he had
spent all the money in his possession for the Funeral ceremony of Graham
Robert inline with is dying wish.


Mr. Charles Stanley however said since you are the only beneficiary of
Graham Robert asset, you should be responsible for the fee. The bank also
assured that they will transfer the funds to your designated bank account
latest 48 hours after the fee is paid. I will advise that you proceed and
make the payment of the said charge soonest to ensure that you don't have
to forfeit this fund as the British High Court will confiscate the funds to
their account if you are not able to transfer the funds from Graham Robert
account to your personal account.


You are to contact Charles Stanley or the transferring bank (Barclays Bank)
and complete the transfer process one time, so you can commence the charity
project. I want to assure you one more time that this transaction is
legitimate and that you can go ahead with their instructions to pay the
needed charge to complete the transaction. Note also that our duty is not
to write anybody on your behalf, we only investigate transactions and issue
sanctions to defaulters.


You are to contact Mr. Larry White with the details below for more
information on your internet security.


OFFICER IN-CHARGE:
NAME: Mr. Larry White @
FBI UK Internet Fraud Watch/Alert
Phone: +447045750924
E-mail:larrywhite.fbiinternetdept@live.com

Anti-fraud resources: