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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.David Smiths." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <davidsmiths1902@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2013 19:12:02 -0000
Subject: Re: Your pending payment; Ref. No: IMF/WA/LAOO3117/AU/08/01.

International Monetary Fund
Regional Operations Office,
9 Hon. Justice Mohammed Bello St.
Asokoro District, Abuja.
 
Re: Your pending payment; Ref. No: IMF/WA/LAOO3117/AU/08/01.
 
Be informed that reports have reached our office concerning the unprofessional manner in which your pending payment has been managed by various banks and courier companies operating across West Africa, Europe and Asia and we have drawn up a comprehensive intervention plan to effect pending payments without further delay to beneficiaries.
This action is pursuant to a resolution passed by the United Nations Committee on Inter-Regional Co-operation, New York, Feb. 2008.
 
All government departments and pastorals, finance/security companies, banks and courier companies which hitherto have been in contact with you concerning your payment have been instructed to desist from any further action in that regard.
On your part, you are advised to discontinue further correspondence with such agencies, as the IMF is henceforth directly in charge of your payment process. You should NOT remit any more fees to any of those agencies for whatsoever reason as your payment will be effected to you directly from the IMF intervention program. Any action contrary to this advice would be at your own risk.
For purposes of verification and re-confirmation, do respond to this email within the next one (1) week and specify these details:
1. your full name;
2. contact address;
3. telephone/fax numbers;
4. date of birth and nationality;
5. occupation;
6.Your Age.....
7. total amount due in your favor.
 
Kindly get back to me as soon as you receive this mail.
Congratulation,
 
Mr.David Smiths.
davidsmiths1902@yahoo.co.jp
+234-70-86886172

Anti-fraud resources: