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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: "David Harrison" <info@dunamedical.com>
Reply-To: davidingam41875@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2016 21:25:30 +0100
Subject: Re: Hello

HM Treasury
Payment Department
London, United Kingdom

Attn: Sir/Ma,

We held a meeting last week with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Debt Liquidation Team concerning over due payments (both foreign/local inheritance, winning contractor payment) which have not being released to the right benefactors base on the information available in Combined Online Information System (COINS).
For full details about COINS, please go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Online_Information_System

As part of the outcome of the meeting, we have been mandated by the British Government/World Bank/International Monetary Fund Debt Liquidation Team that all listed beneficiaries owed by any agency or government in any part of the world must be paid with immediate effect. Base on this mandate, the Government Accountancy Service (GAS) have listed your payment to us. Your new Payment Reference No.-35460021, Allocation No: 674632 and your Certificate of Merit Payment No: 103, Released Code No: 0763, Immediate Telex confirmation No: 1114433. Having received these vital payment information, you are qualified now to received and confirm your payment within seven days if you follow our instruction accordingly. Please keep these above stated numbers secured. This is to prove that you are the rightful beneficiaries of the approved payment.

However, I wish to inform you that your payment has been shortlisted and will be release to you as soon as you respond to this message. Also note that from the records presented to us, the amount approved to be paid to you now is GBP 1,850,000.00 (One Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty British Pounds). You are directed to reconfirm your information as stated below:

1) Your full name:
2) Phone #:
3) Your address:
4) Occupation:

As soon as these information are received, your payment will be processed and directed to a paying bank that will release funds to you. As a result of the on-going drive of the British Government/IMF/World Bank Debt Liquidation Team to update its books and clear overdue payments to all rightful beneficiaries / heirs, I strongly recommend that you promptly and humbly respond to this notification letter immediately.

Best Regards,

Mr. David Ingram
Head, Treassury Department.

Anti-fraud resources: