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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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Fraud email example:

From: "HSBC BANK PLC" <hsbc@kaixo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: depts.hsbc.ghana@london.com
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 04:44:31 -0700
Subject: RE: PAYMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING CONTRACT / INHERITED FUNDS VIA WIRE TRANSFER (K.T.T).

HSBC BANK PLC
HSBC The World's local Bank
Bank Avenue,
Tel: 233 243 849712
Fax: 233 287 8496
Accra Central - Ghana.


ATTN: BENEFICIARY
RE: PAYMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING CONTRACT / INHERITED FUNDS VIA WIRE TRANSFER (K.T.T).

In accordance with the agreement reached this 2005 between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and HSBC BANK PLC to pay all the listed foreign outstanding debts owed to foreigners.

We hereby inform you that your fund is now in our bank and you will be paid via wire transfer (KTT) only by final instruction from the ECOWAS COURT OF JUSTICE scrutiny office Accra, Ghana. You are therefore further instructed to contact directly the HSBC Accra Office and furnish us immediately with your particulars and reconfirmation of your receiving bank information in less than 48 hours.

You have a short time to clear your payment with us as we receive your final fund release order from the Accra office to credit your account. And for your own interest we advise you to stop every other communication whatsoever with any person(s) in respect of your payment.

We thank you in advance for your co-operation while looking forward to your urgent response.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Benjamin Boamah.
Director of Operation
HSBC BANK PLC
Payment Point
Accra Central.


Anti-fraud resources: