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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: "U.S. Interpol" <officeoffederalgovt@gmail.com>
Reply-To: us-interpol@gazeta.pl
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2022 01:27:47 -0600
Subject: U.S. INTERPOL Washington DC (Urgent Information)

--
U.S INTERPOL Washington
U.S. National Central Bureau
Washington, DC 20004, USA

Attention:

First of all, we present to you this commission, INTERPOL. We fight global
crime, including internet fraud and money laundering. Our commission has
identified over 27,000 fraudsters and we are still fighting these nefarious
individuals. We are aware that many people have been deceived and huge sums
of money have been lost and stolen.

The United Nations is committed to combating these crimes. As such, through
their efforts and contributions, we have been able to recover over four
hundred and twenty-two million dollars (US$422 million) to date.

Among the details, yours was found to include your email. Our goal is to
return all lost assets, including funds, to identified legitimate
individuals. After a mandated investigation into those apprehended, the
United Nations (UN) has approved a total sum of US$2.5 million, as
compensation for the funds you have lost. This amount will be paid to you
in the coming days with your cooperation as we begin to conclude the
investigation of your case.

Please we want to confirm if it is true that you are DEAD, as we received a
clearance letter two days ago giving permission for Mrs Alison Robert to
claim your fund, the letter identified Mrs Alison Robert as your loved ones
said you passed away a few months ago from the coronavirus (COVID-19) and
you authorized her to receive your compensation payment worth US$2.5
million, is it true? We will ask you a series of questions to help us
complete your file.

You therefore have 48 hours to confirm the authenticity of this
authorization letter submitted by your family relative, if you are still
alive, you must contact us again immediately, as we are working around the
clock only to ensure that we are monitoring all ongoing activities with
respect to the release of beneficiaries' inheritance and compensation
payments to avoid mistransfer or lack of funds as we will not be liable
thereafter.

You must respond urgently for clarification on this if you are still alive
as we will be available 24 hours a day to assist you and provide you with
the necessary official guidelines on how to ensure that your fund is
returned to you immediately as the legitimate beneficiary.

Please also be aware that any further delay on your part could be
dangerous, as we will not be held responsible for any incorrect payment to
Mrs Alison Robert's account.

We await your prompt response to this notification via this email address: (
USINTERPOL@ONET.COM.PL)

Best Regards.

Michael A. Hughes
Director
INTERPOL Washington DC.

Anti-fraud resources: