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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: "Merchants Bank of California" <mbcna@one.net>
Reply-To: merchantbnk@elitedawn.com
Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2014 01:42:09 -0500 (EST)
Subject: INSTRUCTIONS TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT










Merchants Bank of California, N.A.
One Civic Plaza Drive
333 W. Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
County Operator: Mrs Elizabeth G. Carter
We are regulated by the U.S.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

Attention:
We have tried several times to reach you via email, without any response
coming from you,after due vetting and evaluation of your credit file with
the United Nations Clearing House in conjunction with the BOA Clearing
House Forwarded and contracted us to see to your immediate payment of the
sum of ($1.4Million United States Dollars) from their Offshore Account
with us, THE UNITED NATIONS CLEARING HOUSE has mandated this bank to
handle all transfer to you through our online bank to bank transfer
system.

You are to update this bank to reconfirm your interest for the onward
transfer of your fund alongside with your full banking info to set up a
new online credit account with for you.

Below Is the Transfer Details.
Date: 30/12/2013 11:58:25 Am
Minimum Account A/C Bal: $300
Credit Account For Transfer: ******** (Not Active)
Account Activation Code:****
Reference No: D3a63-5e02f-885e
Account Code: QW-21905-AZ
>From :Corresponded Offshore Dollar account: 46587921354
Format: Standard Top World Bank
Issuing Bank: Merchant Bank of California (MBC)
Current Status: Pending Transfer
Additional Fee: Zero
Total Amount: $1.4 MILLIONUSD
Currency : USD
Interest: Zero (0.0%).
Contact Email: merchantbnk@elitedawn.com

Get back to us for the account set up. We shall re-activate a new online
credit account for you and then forward you with the new online credit
account details also known as the pickup code to withdraw your fund at
your bank or any of its affiliate online.

Your urgent attention to this matter will be highly appreciated.

You are using an Official United States Government System, which may be
used only for authorized purposes. Unauthorized modification of any
information stored on this system may result in criminal prosecution. The
Government may monitor and audit the usage of this system, and all persons
are hereby notified that the use of this system constitutes consent to
such monitoring and auditing. Unauthorized attempts to upload information
and/or change information on this web site are strictly prohibited and are
subject to prosecution under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and
Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001 and 1030.

Anti-fraud resources: