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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "FBI" <smtp@ptnw.co.id>
Reply-To: <customercare@swissworldonline.us>
Date: Sat, 6 May 2023 00:20:37 +0200
Subject: YOUR EMAIL HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A WINNER

Congratulations,
 
This is to notify you that your EMAIL has been verified and approved for the claim, And you are therefore expected to contact our SWISS WORLD BANK Representative. Mr. Nathan Gray has been designated to open a free online account with your data with a deposit sum of  ($6,250,365.00USD) SIX MILLION TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE DOLLARS.
 
CONTACT THE SWISS WORLD BANK REPRESENTATIVE with the following information.
 
Contact Person: Mr. Nathan Gray
Email:    customercare@swissworldonline.us
 
The bank will furnish you with needed details on how to receive your fund. Upon the final transfer of your fund to you;  don't fail to keep me updated to enable me to update my file.
 
Regards,
 
Dir. Christopher A. Wray
DIRECTOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, DC 20535-0001A

Anti-fraud resources: