joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "FROM THE DESK OF THE UNITED NATIONS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dept_steve@usa.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 05:34:45 -0400
Subject: CONTACT MR STEVE ANDREW NOW FOR YOUR ATM MASTER CARD

UNITED NATION
#196 Oxford Street Marylebone,
London United Kingdom
+447012949815
 
Attn: Beneficiary
 
In respect of your long over-due fund which you have been finding it difficult to receive through a Bank Draft, Bank to Bank Wire Transfer and Western Union Installment Payment arrangements. A meeting was held last weekend as to the problem surrounding the Remittance of your fund, and after all deliberation, the Panel Agreement was to load your fund into a worldwide accessible ATM Visa Card.
 
We have waited for you to get in contact with us for your ATM Visa Card worth the total sum of $1,500.000.00. (One Million, Five hundred Thousand United State Dollars), Which you can withdraw your Fund at any ATM Machine in your location Worldwide, with maximum daily limit amount of USD$15,000.00 (Fifteen Thousand United States Dollars) Hence you are willing to claim your Winning Fund.
 
Note that the delivery charges of your ATM VISA CARD has already being paid, Apart from the Security Keeping Fee and insurance clearance, which is to be paid due to your delay in contacting this office for claim of your ATM VISA CARD Winning Fund.
 
The Security Keeping Fee, together with the Insurance clearance Fee total amount is US$350.00 and this is the only charges you are Authorized to Pay as there is no Hiden charges require for any reason, to have your ATM VISA CARD completely insured and delivered to your residential address for daily withdrawal. All you need to do is to contact our Payment Security Department here in the United State for details and guidelines on how to submit your Fees so as to facilitate the immediate release of your ATM VISA CARD for immediate delivery to you.
 
Contact Mr Steve Andrew in United State directly for Guidelines on how to Submit your Security Keeping Fees of $350, and commence Delivery of your ATM VISA CARD Winning Fund.
 
Name:  Mr Steve Andrew
Email: dept_steve@usa.com
Cell:  (805) 317-6478
 
Kindly re-confirm your details to him for verification, and make sure your residential address is provided correctly, to avoid any atom of mistake during delivery process of your ATM VISA CARD, so as to facilitate the immediate release of your ATM CARD immediately  as soon as you comply with the requirement.
 
(1) Your Full Name ..................
(2) Full Residential Address.............(P.O.BOX NOT ALLOWED)
(3) Direct and Current Phone ...........
(4) Nationality ..........................
(5) Present Country ................
 
As soon as your details are submitted, you shall be advised accordingly by our security department officer Mr Steve Andrew. Our ATM CODE of conduct is ( ATM 101 ). Make sure you specify this Code on your subject when Contacting our Security Department (Mr Steve Andrew) for delivery of your ATM VISA CARD.
 
Your Safety is 100% Guaranteed.
 
Thanks for your maximum co-operation.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Mr Robert Lee
ATM PAYMENT DIRECTOR
+447012949815
 

Anti-fraud resources: