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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:
- 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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Andrea Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <iconsult.adrea18900@gmx.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2017 18:51:28 -0700
Subject: RE:Hello ,please respond
Dear Sir/Madam
This is an official communication from United stated Financial Monitoring services (Credit Monitoring Service (CMS), We have intercepted the sum of Seven Million Six Hundred Thousand ($7.6 Million) United States Dollars which was transferred into a business account to South American Company Account.
In our preliminary investigation it was discovered that an European Bank has Authorized inheritance/ Lottery Payment in your favour with ref: no Our Ref: STB/UK/6004 ,Further investigation revealed that top official of the Bank has almost succeeded in diverting your funds into an account in South America.
Note the account details stated below was the account you provided for the transfer kindly indicate it's authenticity.
easybank
BLZ: 14200
Konto Nr. 20010150761 |
SWIFT / BIC: EASYATW1 |
IBAN: AT45 14200 20010150761
You are to furnish us with these details to enable us reconfirm and advice you appropriately on how to redirect your
funds.
Your name
Your address
Your age
Occupation
Direct phone lines
Regards
Andrea Brown
Director Monitor Unit
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Anti-fraud resources:
