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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: "HSBC BANK OF LONDON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hsbcbank2008@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:14:09 -0700
Subject: HSBC BANK OF LONDON

HSBC BANK OF LONDON
1030 ADELAIDE STREET  LONDON ON. N5Y-2M2
UNITED KINGDOM, LONDON.
Swift Address: HSBCXA/GLA XXX/00TD/2009
Motto: Your Success is Our Happiness
 
I am Mrs. Paula Barrett, the manager foreign operation  remittance Department of HSBC Bank of London, Uk.
 
This is to bring to your notice that my office has  Taking over all the money Transaction originated from any part of African and Europe countries as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning due to authorized/incapability of financial  institutions/security companies In releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry activities going on world wide.
 
The World Bank Group has Mandated the HSBC Bank via my Office to release funds to beneficiaries through Tele Banking Transfer, Hence Your Name appears as one
of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry  and your money will be released to you Through Tele-Banking that is the only way you would receive  Your money to avoid paying excess charges.
 
As regards to this arrangement, you are advised to contact the telex director Dr. Steven West, through her direct email: ( hsbcbank2008@sify.com ) to transfer your fund into your bank Account that you would provide. You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, Your complete name and your mailing address, age/marital status and occupation/position to Dr.Seven West for Immediate release of your Thirty Million Dollars Only (US$30,000,000.00). Note that this payment shall follow all due legal proceedings before it will be released to your bank account.
 
Therefore be aware that your fund has obtained all  the clearance to be released to you.
 
Finally, respond to this mail immediately including the required information.
 
Sincerely Yours,
 
Mrs. Paula Barrett.
HSBC Bank of London

Anti-fraud resources: