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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: FBI OFFICE <john.williams@metrobrokers.com>
Reply-To: <fbiheadquarters02@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 May 2019 22:11:27 -0700
Subject: Re

ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONETARY CRIMES DIVISION
FBI HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001
 
We have finally completed an investigation with the help of our Intelligence Monitoring Network system, Your name and email address was short listed as one of the victims of internet fraud, that is why we are contacting you as one of the beneficiaries of this compensation payment. We do understand what you went through in the hands of these scammers, but you have to receive this compensation as part of our effort to protect human rights all over the world.
 
This is to Inform You that the Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) in conjunction with the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), has agreed to pay a compensation of USD$5, 200.000.00 (Five million, Two Hundred Thousand Dollars Only) to each of the victims of various internet fraud, who may have lost their hard earned money in the hands of internet fraudsters all over the world and Africa countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Benin etc.
 
If you receive any E-mail from an unknown sender that you don’t understand forward it to these office for proper investigation.
 
Re-confirm the below to avoid double claim of your fund.
 
Your Full Name
Your Contact Address
Your Tel/Fax Numbers
Your Occupation
Your Nationality/Country
Age/Gender
How Much Money Have You Lost In The Hands of These Scammers?
 
NOTE: If You Receive This Message In Your Junk Or Spam It's Due To Your Internet Provider.
 
Thanks for your understanding as you follow instructions.
Christopher A. Wray
FBI Director.
 

Anti-fraud resources: