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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: "Christopher A. Wray" <robertnumber412@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wraychristopher166@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2022 14:55:57 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION

Wells Fargo Bank Head Quarters
Address: 420 Montgomery St San Francisco, CA 94104,USA

Attention My Dear
I'm writing to you to confirm the case in my office since Monday
morning. A man named Mr. Anthony Wheals came to my office on your
behalf as he disclosed to me that you sent him to come and claim your
compensation funds of ($38 million dollars). He made things very clear
to me that you are dead and he's the only person you disclosed this
matter with and instructed him to come and claim the money if you die.
Right now I'm writing to know if the fact it's true that you are DEAD
or NOT, failure to respond back in the next 24hrs simply means that
what Mr. Anthony Wheals said it is right that you are dead.
Mr. Anthony Wheals agreed to pay 2 times the required fee for the
transfer of your funds totaling $38 Million, but we have not accepted
the money from him yet as we want to find out if you are DEAD or NOT.
Please I want to know if you are ALIVE by responding to me within
24hrs

Remember I won't touch your payment file until I hear from you within
this short period of time because I'm following the laws and I will
not be against anybody as a result of my office because I have a human
affinity and I also think perhaps he has a little problem with you.

NOTE: The only fees you have to pay as a true owner is the Transfer
fee which is $38 so you don't have to worry for anything as the
transaction is 100% risk free. The payment is real. You have payment
options which include Certified Cashier Check, Consignment Box
delivery to your residential address. You are required to respond back
to us with your home address in addition with the $38.00.

PLEASE RESPOND BACK, SO THAT WE CAN GET MR. ANTHONY ARRESTED OR I HAVE
TO WISH YOU (RIP).

Thank you, I await your prompt response.

Yours in Service,
Mr. Charles W. Scharf.

Anti-fraud resources: