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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: "Mrs. Elizabeth Charlene" <joem04297@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:

There is an issue with the Money Gram Money Transfer in the amount of
($950.000.00 )Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand United State Dollars to
the beneficiary directed in cash credited to file KTU/926775/03, at
the owner of this email address and name. The International Monetary
Fund and Benin Republic Internet Monitory Agency contacted us for
your Inheritance fund a couple of hours ago due to your allocated
security code. We are unable to complete a transfer directed at your
bank account due to some wire transfer requirement, so we require some
more information in order to complete this transfer with our money
gram department.
Here are the information’s needed form you;

1. Full Name:
2. Full Address:
3. Occupation:
4. Age:
5. Sex:
6. Nationality:
7. Telephone. Number:

In order to resolve this problem, please email via Money Gram
Solicitors Fund Verification Department:
INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC MONEY GRAM OPERATION DEPARTMENT.
14/17 TH MOTALLA MOHAMEDI ROAD
Benin Republic Of Cotonou

Frank Edward Jackson
EMAIL; redacted@domain.name

(Publicity Officer)
As soon as this information is received, Gram Money Transfer
Department will release the first payment of $7,000.00 usd Transfer
Reference Number to you. Only charge in receiving this payment is the
cost of obtaining the Inheritance Certificate as it was required by
Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic . Contact Money Gram
Director Frank Edward Jackson, he will direct you best on how-to get
the needed Inheritance file from our Banking Attorney.

When emailing, please use the (Reference number 250-33) for our mutual
convenience. Remember that once the Inheritance files issue you will
start receiving your daily payment per $7,000.00 usd till the total
($950.000.00) Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand United State Dollars
finally transfer to your name. Again you need to keep all the payment
slip to enable you and our bank check if the total fund transferred to
your name.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Elizabeth Charlene

Anti-fraud resources: