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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- 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.
- +447092982478 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Stephen Atkinson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drrichardmeddings@live.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 09:04:48 -0700
Subject: FROM STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
PLC 1 Basinghall Avenue London EC2V 5DD UK.
TEL: +447092982478 +447092982479 FAX: +4470929824799.
Dearest Customer,
RE: INSTRUCTIONS TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WITH US$15,000,000.00
The management of the Standard Chartered Bank United Kingdom writes to inform you of your long over due payment that has been lying wait in the treasury department of the standard Chartered bank for payment.
With regards to the approval of your Personal information’s received and confirmed by the Legal Department of the Standard Chartered Bank United Kingdom as stated below; you are hereby directed to contact Dr Richard Meddings Group Finance Director for immediate payment as your payment officer. The management have authorize Dr Richard Meddings to have a face to face meeting with you in our office before the approval will be sent to our management to effect payment after meeting with you.
Write To Us
Your details * Bank Particulars
Title: * * Bank Name:
First name: * * Bank Address:
Last name: * * Bank Telephone/Fax Number:
Email address: * *Bank Swift Code /Aba Number If Any:
Contact number: * *Bank Account Number:
Country: *
Can we get in touch with you? Yes / No.
You are therefore authorized to reconfirm to the telex department of the Standard Chartered Bank United Kingdom your complete Personal Information’s and Account Information’s to enable us carry out your transfer accordingly.
Contact our office as soon as possible on email or contact Dr Richard Meddings for more details on your transfer.
Thank you, for your understand and patience.
Head of Investor Relations, Dr Stephen Atkinson.
{STCBL}
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Anti-fraud resources:
