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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: "Stanley (freeboy)" <freeboyforlife@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2015 15:11:31 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Mother Esther Charity Org


 Proud Benefactor

This is to inform you that your UBA ATM Visa card sent by Mother Esther Charity Organization Headquarter has been released for your claim. This card was deposited by Mother Esther Board of Trustee to compensate you with the sum of $4,500,000.00usd as part of their global Charity work through the medium of supporting the less privileged, retirees, students and businessmen worldwide.

Your fund can be sent through these Options:
1. Online Bank to Bank Wire Transfer
2. Well Recognized Courier Delivery Service of ATM Visa Card
3. Bank Draft Issuance for delivery
4. Hand to Hand personal delivery (this requires your present at the bank)

Your name, home address, city and state, country, occupation, phone number is needed along with a copy of id card for identification.

Your reply is needed now.

Williams Cord
Fund Remittance Officer
United Bank for Africa
Cotonou Branch

Anti-fraud resources: