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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: "Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <GoodluckJonathan@qq.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2013 18:28:48 +0200
Subject: KIND ATTENTION

Sir,
 
Today, I, Goodluck E. Jonathan, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria have decided to personally for the first time address this letter to you as it relates to your overdue outstanding fund. This is unprecedented because it is not the duty of a President to contact beneficiaries, but Im doing this having seen the difficulties most of you (beneficiaries) are going through as reported to me by the Minister of Finance. Your fund actually has not been paid due to bureaucratic bottleneck as well as interfering interests from some unscrupulous government and bank officials who have been sacked for corruption.
 
However, having revoked all payment orders previously given to some banks and financial institutions around the world and in agreement with UN, World Bank and IMF, we have decided that your payment be profiled, processed and paid to you by the United Nations Payment Agency in United States. You are therefore by this letter directed to contact the UN Payment Agency Director General in order to have your fund remitted to you. Find below the contact details to reach the Agency and have your fund finally remitted to you.
Mr. Frank Lewis
 
Be rest assured, no more delays.
 
Thanks for been patient.
 
Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan
President, C-in-C
Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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