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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: "Michael A. Hughes" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <usinterpol@onet.com.pl>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2022 01:02:44 -0700
Subject: U.S. INTERPOL Washington DC (Urgent Information)

U.S INTERPOL Washington
U.S. National Central Bureau
Washington, DC 20004, USA
 
Attention:
 
Foremost, we introduce this commission, The INTERPOL. We fight global crime including internet fraud and money laundering. Our commission has rounded-up well over 27,000 fraudsters and we are still battling these nefarious individuals. We are aware that a lot of people have been deceived and huge amounts of money have been lost and stolen from them.
 
The United Nations has vowed to combat these crimes. As such due to their efforts and contributions, we have been able to recover over Four Hundred and Twenty-Two Million United States Dollars (US$422 Million Dollars) to date.
 
Amongst the details yours was found to include your email. Our goal is to return all lost assets including funds to legitimate individuals identified. After a mandated investigation of the apprehended persons, the United Nations has approved the total sum of Two Million Eight Hundred And Fifty Thousand, Nine Hundred And Fifteen United State Dollars Only, (US$2,850,915,00) as compensation to the funds you lost. This amount will be paid to you in the oncoming days with your cooperation as we commence to conclude the investigation on your case.
 
Please we want to confirm if it's true that you are DEAD, because we did received a letter from one Mrs Alison Robert two days ago to claimed your compensation fund worth Two Million Eight Hundred And Fifty Thousand, Nine Hundred And Fifteen United State Dollars Only, (US$2,850,915,00) with your death certificate stated that you got infected with the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and passed on and she related to you is that true? There will be a series of questions we will ask to aid us in rounding-up your case file.
 
You are therefore given 48hours to confirm the truth in this information, If you are still alive, You are to contact us back immediately, Because we work 24hours just to ensure that we monitor all the activities going on in regards to the release of beneficiaries inheritance and compensation payment.
 
You are to reply to this office immediately for clarifications on this matter as we shall be available 24hours to attend to you and give you the necessary guidelines on how to ensure that your fund is redeem to you immediately.
 
Just also be informed that any further delay from your side could be dangerous, because this office cannot afford to be held liable for any wrong transfer of funds or liable of any fund credited into an unknown account.
 
We await your swift response to this notification through this email address: ( usinterpol@onet.com.pl )
 
Best Regards.
Michael A. Hughes
Director
INTERPOL Washington DC.

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