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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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "europeanunionandworldbank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mikkewilliam@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 14:26:39 +0100
Subject: office on Foreign Payment and reconciliation
Attn: Beneficiary,
Dear Sir/Madam,
As a result of the emerging global economic recession and its consequent financial effect we hereby inform you that your over due payment/claims of funds to be made to you by way of contract payment /Inheritance claim of your deceased relation or your Lotto/Lottery winnings has received the prompt attention of the United Nations in conjunction with the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and therefore has earmarked sum money as part of your payment entiltements.
It has reached our office on Foreign Payment and reconciliation that you have applied that your inheritance/contract payment be paid through this account information as stated below:
BANK: FORSTAEDERNES BANK A/S
ADDRESS: BIRKEROED, HOVEDGADE 2-4
COUNTRY: DENMARK
SWIFT CODE: FBBKDKK
IBAN: DK8854910009691193
BENEFICIARY: CORDUS OIL & GAS
BANK OFFICER: ASKER JESPERSEN
Kindly confirm this information to enable us approve the part payment of 15.5 Million United Stated Dollars to this account without delay. We cannot be held liable for any loss or diversion of your fund due wrong information.
Most of the required statutory fees to be paid by you has been suspended or waivered by the relevant authorities following the intervention of the World Bank/IMF regarding the long delay and inconveniences suffered by you while waiting to receive this payment. We hereby notify you that part of your funds have been cleared to be paid to you via one of our accredited paying banks.
You are to receive the payment by a certified bank draft or any means the bank deem fit to be delivered to you. Sequel to this you are hereby directed to kindly and urgently forward to us your contact details like your address and your direct telephone number immediately.
Thanks for your urgent co-operation.
your full names
your address
your tel/fax no.
your age
your marital status
your companys name if any
Sincerely Yours,
michael d williams
Secretary { European Union and World Bank Commission}
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Anti-fraud resources:
