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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- sgbb127@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Societe Generale Bank <info@jfwistl1.heliohost.org>
Reply-To: sgbbuk180@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:55:37 -0700
Subject: FUND TRANSFER
Societe Generale Bank UK
SG House, 41 Tower Hill,
London EC3N 4SG,
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 783 912 2435
Fax: 44-844-774-5506
Email: info@sgbak.co.uk
Alternative : sgbb127@gmail.com
Ref: Payment Approval Notification.
Attn:Sir/Madam
In accordance to the instruction given to us from our apex Bank
(Central Bank of Nigeria.) through the office of thw Governor to
transfer the sum of US$7,500,000.00 (Seven Million Five Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars Only ) Into your account .You are
advice to send us attach copy of your photo passport or drivers
license with your address and mobile telephone number to enable us
open an online Banking account on your name with the above fund and
forward to you the information, so that you can from there wire the
fund to any of your oversea Bank account .
Following information stated below is all we required to open the
online banking account on your name.
1. Attach copy of your passport photo
2. Your Resident address
3. Your Direct Telephone number.
4. Your Full name
5. Occupation
We urgently needed the above information for us to complete your transaction.
Kindly acknowledge your receipt of this mail.
Yours Faithfully.
Mrs Rose Johnson
(Branch Manager Societe General Bank UK)
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Anti-fraud resources:
