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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: "TE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnaadams67@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:23:57 -0700
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary,

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Investigation Bureau,
Attn: Beneficiary,
 
We refer to your Payment Form "Grade A" approval received from this Office on the above subject, We wish to inform you that your payment file under reference has been approved for immediate payment to your nominated bank account immediately after final endorsement of your Fund Release Order Document.
 
We hereby mandate CENTRAL BANK to effect the remittance of this payment US$10,000 500,00 (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) into your nominated bank account. You are
 
therefore advise to Contact The Director Head Offshore payment/ Credit and Telex Department (CENTRAL BANK) below :
 
Contact name: Rev Jonah Adams
Phone: +234-8023896916
Fax: +234 -9-2035649
E-mail: johnaadams67@yahoo.com.ph
 
KINDLY RE-CONFIRM TO CENTRAL BANK THE FOLLOWING:
 
1)YOUR FULL NAME.............................................
 
2)YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS .......................................
 
3)YOUR FULL BANKING DATA.......................................
 
4)PHONE AND MOBILE...............................................
 
5)CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT ...........................................
 
6)DIRECT WIRE TRANSFER .............................................
 
7)AGE AND MARITAL STATUS........................................
 
AS SOON AS THE ABOVE INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED, CENTRAL BANK WILL PROCESS YOUR PAYMENT  AND WILL BE MADE TO YOU IN A CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT OR DIRECT WIRE TRANSFER TO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT.
For more directives, Lastly you are warned to disregard other contact with other offices or Banks unless as been directed by this office, We are very sorry for the plight you have gone through in the past.
 
Thanks for adhering to this instruction.
 
Congratulations!
Best Regards
Dr. James Duru
International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Anti-fraud resources: