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: =?UTF-8?Q?Mega_Million_Jackpot?= <lotteries@megamillionsjackport.com.clasiuruguay.com.ar> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2017 08:41:28 -0300
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?CONGRATULATIONS=21=21=21?=

FROM:THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
    Mega Millions Jackpot
    INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
    REF:HW5/404116316/14
    BATCH:13/213/GVS.
 
    ATTN:CEO
 
 
    Sir/Madam
 
    We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 09/06/2017. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number    765764651491-6319 with serial number 5147-179,batch number 7149087137,lottery ref number 5326847810 and drew lucky numbers 7-18-26-33-45-51 which consequently won    in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of $1,000.000.00 (0NE MILLION DOLLARS)
 
    CONGRATULATIONS!!!
    Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to    you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
 
    All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 30,000 company and 16 ,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over    the world.
 
    This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of software producers. we hope with part of your    winning,you will take part in our next year US$2 million international lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our approved fiducial agent MR.FRANK MULLER    of the,
 
    Mega Millions Jackpot Ageny .
    TEL: (478) 216-2697
    Email:merlpbutler@aol.com
 
    Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than one week of receiving your winning notification. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the    next stake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all    correspondence.
 
    Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.
 
    Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
 
    Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
 
    Yours Sincerely,
    Mrs. Flora Gunter.
    (Lottery Coordinator.)

Anti-fraud resources: