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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: JAMES IGANDO <oceanicplcbenin@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: JAMES IGANDO <ecobankbeninbj9@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 11:07:41 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Payment Release Instruction from Ecobank Benin Republic


Ecobank Benin Republic
 33 Liberty Street,
 Pondou Cotonou Benin Republic
 Our Ref: FRB-75EBBR2011
 
 Attention Honorable Beneficiary
 
 Payment Release Instruction from Ecobank Benin Republic
 
Acting on our capacity as the correspondent bank to the International Monetary Fund Organization, this is to officially notify you that we have received a confirmation advice from the International Monetary Fund’s External Auditors Committee, World Bank, United Nations Organization and the Central Bank of West Africa (BCEAO) respectively via International Payment Voucher Number: IMF/ECBWDC/BOA-90WB80UN597-G requesting our bank to process your wining/inheritance and contract payment valued at Seven Million Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US7.3M) via SWIFT MASTER/ATM CARD.
 
In consideration of the above, you have been issued with this Exclusive Reference Identification Number (IMF/ECB-CBR/8BRXX17551/12), Vide Transaction No.:WHA/EUR/202 and SWIFT MASTER/ATM Allocation No.: ECB/X94/761LN/CBR, Pin Code: 43289, Certificate of Merit No: 907, Release Code No: 1657; Secret Code: XXTN098.

Having received these vital payment numbers, you are instantly qualified to receive and confirm your payment within the next 72hrs as necessary clearance has been granted from the International Monetary Fund’s External Auditors to release the funds to you via SWIFT MASTER/ATM CARD with immediate effect.
 
In view of this directive received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), we have on our own part verified your payment file as directed to us, and your name is next on the list of outstanding fund beneficiaries to receive their payment at this First quarter of year 2012. With that being done, you are required to urgently contact us through the SWIFT MASTER/ATM Release Supervisor: Contact Person: Lary Agberto. (Head, SWIFT MASTER/ATM Release Supervisor) Email:(ecobankbenin77@yahoo.com) and reconfirm your international payment voucher number and your reference identification number respectively before that office with a view to the final remittance approval and subsequent crediting to SWIFT MASTER/ATM CARD to the tune of funds as stated herein.
 
 We wish to inform you of the need for you to also be aware that the sum of $98 would be made by you for the SWIFT MASTER/ATM CARD maintenance charges.
 
 1) Full Name:
 2) Full Address;
 3) Your contact telephone and fax number;
 4) Your Age and Profession;
 5) Copy of any valid form of your Identification;
 
 Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.
 TREAT AS URGENT.
James Igando
 Ecobank Benin Republic

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