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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: "Ms.Mary McCarthy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sams1902@yahoo.cn>
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:58:10 -0400
Subject: Dear Beneficiary/ATM

FEDERAL BUREAU INVESTIGATION (FBI)/UNITED NATIONS
INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT CENTRE
1775 K ST NW United Kingdom 06-12
REF: UK/28028/8A28/
 
****IRREVOCABLE PAYMENT ORDER VIA ATM CARD*******
 
Dear Beneficiary,
We have been authorized by the newly appointed United Nation secretary general, and the governing body of the UNITED NATIONS Monetary Unit, to investigate the unnecessary delay on your payment, recommended and approved in your name. During our investigation, we discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily Delayed by corrupt officials of the Bank who are Trying to use your payment for their personal investments.
 
Security of your funds was organized in the form of your personal Identification Number (PIN) ATM CARD and this will enable only you to have direct Control and access to your funds with the ATM CARD. We will monitor this payment ourselves to avoid the hopeless situation created by the Officials of the bank to make sure you receive your long term inheritance. An irrevocable payment guarantee has been issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on your Payment.
 
We are happy to inform you that based on our recommendation/Instructions, your complete funds have been credited through ATM CARD. You are therefore advice to contact:
 
Contact Person,
 
Mr. Samuel Smith
Director ATM Payment Department
(Barclays Bank)
Contact Email: sams1902@yahoo.cn
Ph:+44-702-404-5493
 
Contact him now for the delivery of your ATM Card. As soon as you establish a contact with him, ATM card will be issued to you immediately which you can use to withdraw your funds in any ATM Machine world-wide, with maximum withdrawal of USD $10,000 (Dollars) per day.
 
You are advised to contact Mr. Samuel Smith with following information as stated below: If we did not hear from you in the next 72 hour , your payment will be redirect to the FBI in your country to investigate and release the fund in your name.
 
1.Your Full Name:_____________________________
2.Your Complete Address: _____________________
3.Name of City of Residence:____________________
4.Country:______________________________
5.Direct Telephone Number:______________________
6.Mobile Number:_________________________
7.AGE:_________________________________________
8.Scan copy of id proof: _________________________
9.Occupation:________________________________
10.Nearest airport:______________________
11. Your Total amount $______________________
12.Address Where You Want the Courier Company to Send Your ATM Card To or (P.O Box)
 
NOTE: Also be informed that the amount to be paid to you is US$2,600,000.00 (Dollars) (Two Million six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only).
We expect your urgent response to this E-mail to enable us monitor this payment effectively.
 
Congratulations Once Again.
 
MRS.MARY McCarthy.
UNITED NATIONS.

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