joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
 Free trial for 30 days
   jwSpamSpy
Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: Service Dept info <deptinfor94@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:40:00 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dear friend

Dear friend,

With merging of my bank Abn Amro N.V. with Barclay's Bank Plc United Kingdom, I was made head of service in my department by the Boards of directors of my bank Barclays Bank Plc London to compile all credit accounts that has been in operation with the bank under my department/supervision. Details about the Merging News Visit the Web Site below: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6469417.stm  

Through my compilation of accounts, I discovered a credit account with A/C N0:NL85ABNA6008341843 and  Twenty Four Million Five Hundred and fifty thousand Pounds Sterling (£24,550.000.00 GBP) Equivalent to Thirty two million, six hundred and thirty five thousand, seven hundred and eighty eight United States Dollars (US$32,635,788.00) deposited, on further trace I came across the file and found out that the account has be inactive for more than Nine (10) years. The true owner of this funds/ account was Engineer Christian Eich, a German who Ran carmaker BMW's museum unfortunately lost his Life, including his wife and two children in the plane crash (Flight AF4590) which crashed on July 31st 2000 killing all 109 people on board. Details About The Plane Crash Visit The Website Below: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Regarding the short period of Twenty-One (21) working days allowed confirming and submitting the reports to the Board of directors of my bank, which may lead to the cancellation or terminating of the account. I have chosen to seek your consent to work with me as a team and pull out this fund under the legitimacy as the heir apparent of Late Engineer Christian Eich. I am relying on your trust, honesty, and accountability. You should forward along your full names, direct telephone numbers,including your present mailing address so that I can send you an Application form which you will fill and submit to the bank for immediate approval and transfer of the fund to your bank account within (48) working hours.As soon as I hear from you I will proceed with the necessary formalities to execute this project/ transaction.
 
Looking forward hearing from you in no distance time.
Best Regards,
Mr.Graham Smith

Anti-fraud resources: