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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: "Dr. Pietro Laporte - Director, Foreign Remittance Department" <unfcub@gmail.com>
Reply-To: worldbank_remt@accountant.com
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2021 06:02:34 +0100
Subject: To all Kind Attention

--
Dear beneficiary:

This is to confirm that we have received your power of attorney for
the cancellation of your fund payment, sum of eight hundred fifty
thousand dollars and I will not blame your expression much based on
the fact that we are aware of the various disappointments and losses
that you have encountered in the past, even presently, from impostors
who claim to be what they are not, and for that reason, you are
skeptical of every email that comes to you or believes anyone again.

We want you to know that every thing is ready for you to receive your
fund today. The transfer of your amount will be done as soon as you
send 150 dollar for us to do some paperwork and remit the sum into
your bank account without any interrogation from your local authority.

Sir, kindly understand that this bank is not writing you this message
to buy you off your mind, nor are we trying to pressure you against
your wish, but rather to act in accordance with the laws and
conditions given to us by the federal government of this country. We,
therefore, engrave your indulgence to think wisely and send us the
required fee of 350 instead of allowing the past to affect your
present.

We give you our word as a bond that you are not going to record any
loss but you will have every reason to smile and make a good
recommendation of this bank for a job well done.

I advise you never to allow your past to affect your present. I will
use my capacity as governor of the central bank to ensure that you
confirm your fund within 24 hours of sending us the administrative
service charges of 350 dollars.

Thank you as I await your cooperation
Yours sincerely
Dr. Pietro Laporte - Director, Foreign Remittance Department

Anti-fraud resources: