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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: "John Hudson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.abramcole@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2019 22:34:11 +0100
Subject: IMF/Financial Crimes Enforcement

IMF/Financial Crimes Enforcement Network,
Treasury Department,
110 Penns-Vive Avenue, Cotonou,
+229 61380625.
Benin Republic, 
 
Attention Please
 
We the IMF and Financial Crime Enforcement Network under the supervision of the IMF Monetary Agency worldwide, Our attention has been drawn to bring to your notice through our Intelligent Monetary Agency Here in Benin Republic has found out that you have been dealing wrongfully with the so many scammers since and that was why you couldn't be able to receive your fund. 
 
Our investigative teams through the IMF Financial Monetary department and network are going deep to find out the source of this funds and we found out that the entire amount in question were originated from Benin Republic through Western Union Transfer Benin  and your funds was not released to you due to the unprofessional handling of the transfer  which they  illegally procured all the documents from the Government Ministries in Benin Republic before the impostors and their groups hacked and hijacked your data and started dealing with you wrongfully since years back.
 
The Fund valued US$5.5 Million was agreed to be released and transferred to you through a nominated Bank here in Benin Republic but the impostors continue to reap you off hence you abandoned the funds.
 
Your fund is still intact with our Federal Reserve Bank in Benin Republic and has been placed on HOLD due to our probate inquiring and investigations but we have instructed the UBA Benin to liaise with us for verification and endorsement so that your funds will be released to you by the Reserved Bank. You will only send €200 only for the verification of your documents for immediate release of your funds.
 
For your own good, we are trying to salvage the image of the Government of Benin Republic and that was why the order came from the IMF monitoring unit to release all the outstanding payments to all the scam victims.
 
The IMF Monitoring Unit and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network are working hand in hand to make sure that your fund is delivered to you within few days through telex transfer. We have abolished the use of CHEQUE’S to transfer money to the foreigners due to so many scams in the cause of the transactions.
 
Now Contact the Director:
Special Transfer Unit Director,
Dr. Abram Cole.
+229 66935379
E-mail: dr.abramcole@gmail.com
 
Send the payment through MONEY GRAM TRANSFER with the information below and sent the attached receipt of the payment for the immediate release of your $5.5 Million within 72 Hours:
 
RECEIVER NAME:.....EMEKA MICHAEL
CITY:..............COTONOU
COUNTRY............BENIN REPUBLIC
Text Question......GOD IS ABLE.
Answer............YES
Amount.............€200
MTCN Control Number.............
 
We will be monitoring your conversations with them as we have mandated them to release your funds immediately you make the payment. please note that your funds was place on HOLD here by the authority and will never be touched until it get to your Bank in your country.
 
No other condition or method will be apply in this information given to you and if we didn't hear from you or the payment does not make within 7 days then we will cancel the payment.
 
We need your response immediately.
 
Thanks,
 
Best Regards,
 
John Hudson Esq.
IMF/Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Treasury Department.

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