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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: "Rev. Fr. Steven" <richard.chitolo@amaco.co.ke>
Reply-To: "Rev. Fr. Steven" <revfrstevens@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2022 01:45:29 +0300 (EAT)
Subject: RE


Rev. Fr. Steven.
>From (UNITED NATIONS).
http://www.un.org/sg


The U.S.A Government World Bank I.M.F And United Nations Organization, this is to inform you of your long overdue Payment outstanding in our records. We saw your name in the Central Computer among a list of unpaid inheritance claims individuals and have to update your information through this email contact for immediate confirmation.
Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-payment of the sum of $2.8Million USD to you, Credited to Online Banking account that was set up for you in World Bank and it has been approved already months ago.
However we received an email from one (MR. BRIGHT HOFFMAN) who told us That he is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident four months back. He has also submitted his contact information to the office department for the delivery of the fund.
We are now verifying by contacting your email address as we have in our Bank records before we can deliver the fund to him and for us to conclude confirmation if you are dead or not.
Please, confirm the response immediately to us before our action to release your fund to him against your name listed out. Upon this, I request you send your full personal information as soon as possible.
Your Full Names:_____
Contact Address:_____
Mobile Phone:_____
Home Phone:_____
Fax:_____
Occupation:_____
Marital Status:_____
Age:_____
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E Mail is intended only for the use of the Individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
Once again, I apologize to you on behalf of the International Monetary Fund Agency towards this contact and proper confirmation required urgently from you .
Yours Sincerely
Rev. Fr. Steven.
(UNITED NATIONS).
Secretary-General Frontpage United Nations Secretary-General António.
Thanks,

Anti-fraud resources: