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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: "MR. CHRISTOPHER TOWE." <christopher_towe@aol.com>
Reply-To: christopher.towe@aol.com
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 05:25:16 +0000
Subject: MR. CHRISTOPHER TOWE.INTERNATIONAL MONETARY ORGANIZATION.

Good day,
 
RE: INVESTIGATION REPORT MADE ON YOUR PART-PAYMENT US$9,700,000.00.
 
Did you authorize one Mr. Robert L. Smith to meet us as your representatives?  With documents of claim purported to have been signed by you for the released of your part-payment of US$9,700,000.00 (Nine Million, seven hundred thousand United States Dollars Only), because the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) are not happy that you have not received your funds by now.
 
I'M MR. CHRISTOPHER TOWE, Statistics Director of the International Monetary Organization Washington D.C, during an International summit with the International Bodies on Financial Matters last week here in the United States of America; I come across your file, based on the report and petition submitted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) United States of America.
 
Be informed that the International Monetary Organization, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN) USA has been working towards the eradication of fraudsters and scam Artists in United Kingdom and other Parts of the World with the help of United States Government and the International Monetary Organization.
 
On this notification, I deemed it necessary to inform you that after the meeting, it was resolved that the sum of US$9,700,000.00 be paid to those fraud victims who’s payment is still pending of which your name was also listed in the pay roll of International Monetary Organization.
 
If you are willing to receive your allocated part-payment of US$9.7 Million transferred into your account without any hitch, you have to abide by the instruction given by the International Monetary Organization and the US Department of Treasury for the endorsement of your Final Fund Release Agreement Bond Between you and the Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria to enable the issuance of your Transfer Permit Code (TPC).
 
The TPC is the only gateway for the confirmation of your fund by your local bank, without the TPC, your bank or the Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria will not have access to the fund, note that this TPC is obtainable freely cost no money.
 
If you are willing to abide by the directives of the International Monetary Organization, we assure you the release of your fund. You should provide me with the below for verification:
 
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile
3) Company's name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of int'l passport or any scanned identity to prove you.
6) Purpose of the fund you intend to receive
7) Total Amount Involved
 
 
Thanks for your anticipated Co-operation.
 
Sincerely,
 
MR. CHRISTOPHER TOWE.
STATISTICS DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY ORGANIZATION.

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