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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: Fiona McBain <fionamcbain61@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2021 11:30:23 +0100
Subject:

Dear,

Sorry for my late reply, it's because of the issue i told you i'm
having with my husband, he seized my phone again and i just managed to
retrieve it to send you this email, my communications with you might
be slow and inconsistent sometimes because i hide to send you emails
because he monitors me always.I viewed the documents but the 3rd file
couldn't download, are you giving me your word and assurance 100% that
once i pay the $8,850 dollars the compensation fund ATM card will be
delivered to the address i gave you in Australia? and that i can be
using the ATM card to be withdrawing cash at any ATM in Australia? can
i transfer money from the ATM card to my Australian bank accounts? can
i use the ATM card at POS machines in stores? and remember i told you
the delivery agent has to wait for me at the security post at my
apartment entrance and call my apartment intercom so i can meet him
there, i don't want him coming inside because i wouldn't like my
husband to meet him, i hope there won't be problems when i try to
withdraw money from the ATM with the card? the limit i can transfer
from my account once is $5000 dollars so i will need you to send
another account details so i can split the money in half.

If you receive the money today or tomorrow can the agent depart
Nigeria with the ATM card tomorrow? please reply to all these
questions urgently and reassure me and make me clear on all these, if
i get your assurance and the second acount details i will send the
$8,850 today or tomorrow.

Anticipating your reply.

Fiona

Anti-fraud resources: