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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: "Mr. Francis Jacobs" <deliverycompany114@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. Francis Jacobs" <gtbnk_plc_benin@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 11 May 2017 20:25:28 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Re: Attention!


This is to let you know that you have won yourself the sum of US$250,000.00.Being the lotto program organized by Money gram in association with western union agency based on the series of money you sent through their services to African and other continent.Your name was attached to the selected winning number that made you won the sweepstakes.

We humbly request you to reconfirm the following vital information for us to key the same on our online data base for onward Bank online fund transfer of your prize money:

A. Your Complete Names:
B. Address:
C. Contact Mobile:

Thanks in anticipation for your prompt response.

Congratulations

Yours Sincerely
Mr. Francis Jacobs
Deputy Director Foreign Operation
GT Bank Plc - Benin Republic

Anti-fraud resources: