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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: Steve Royal <steveroyal02@gmail.com>
Reply-To: stroyal300@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2021 04:00:12 -0700
Subject: Dear friend, let's partner.

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. STEVE ROYAL, Head of Operations in one of the big and
recognized banks here in Africa. I want to invite you to a business
venture which involves an amount of US$150.3million. At your
acceptance proper, documentation to formalize your ownership stand of
the said funds will be legally obtained and this amount (USD$150M)
will be transferred to your name(bank account) as a foreign partner.

AS YOU CAN SEE,MY OFFICIAL POSITION SHALL BE AN ADDED ADVANTAGE to the
smooth and speedy process. So, all I need is your collaboration to get
this funds transferred out from here to your account, and, we share at
a ratio of 50% each. You will receive this amount by bank transfer.
Please send your personal or company data for presentation to the bank
as stated below;

A.Full names or company's name.............
B. Your direct phone numbers..............
C. Your private mailing address..............
D. Age............

I do not want to say much for now but Promise to give you full details
about this transaction as soon as I receive your phone numbers. So
please, i need the above data to make some vital changes in the
transit account which will make your name appear as the CERTIFIED
beneficiary to the funds. Frankly, my good friend, your
prompt reply will be highly appreciated.

Thanks and Sincerely yours.
Mr.STEVE ROYAL.
(Head of Operations).

N/B
BE ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FUNDS ARE ALREADY IN A FOREIGN ACCOUNT WHICH
WILL FACILITATE PERFECT TRANSFER. ALL WE NEED NOW IS YOUR PERSONAL
DATA TO FORMALIZE OWNERSHIP STATUS ON YOUR NAME BY PROVIDING THE LEGAL
DOCUMENTS TO BACK UP THE CLAIMS. THIS WILL COMPEL THE BANK OF ORIGIN
TO MANDATE THE FOREIGN BANK OF IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO YOUR ACCOUNT. TANK
OU WAITING HOPEFULLY.

Anti-fraud resources: