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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:
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: customer service broadcastle bank uk <kaysingh@rogers.com>
Reply-To: nclaimsdpt@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 02:50:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Your over due fund Notification of Payment.
BROADCASTLE BANK LONDON
Offshore Banking/Payment Unit
Harton House
91 High Street
Thame OX9 3EH
United Kingdom
Sub: Over due fund Notification of Payment.
Dear Esteemed Beneficiary:
Following the signal we received from our local banks & Affiliated
banks in Africa/London Concerning your payment from reserve account
they have with us, be informed that your payment will now be effected from
our bank (BROADCASTLE BANK) London,
During the auditing and verifying of your files it was discovered from
the records of outstanding transfer's due for payment. Many officials
and some of your agents from the source/origin of your fund has
delayed your payment for one reason and the other.
Sequel to the outcome of our board of director's meeting with other
commercial banks here in London.
We hereby bring to your notice that your name fails among the top
twenty contractor/beneficiary that will be receiving their payment
which has been delayed.
I wish to officially notify you that your payment is being processed and
the part payment of Nine million, Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($9.7Million)
will be released to you as soon as you re-confirm your information for us
to cross check with the one we have in our records.
Kindly re-confirm your information to us so that this office can
proceed immediate for the approval and immediate release of your fund
without further delays. Also you are hereby advice to stop further
communications with those who claim to have your fund in one bank
Or the other because they are nothing but imposters.
1) Your full name:
2) Your Contact Address:
3) Your Phone, fax and mobile #:
4) Your Age:
5) Your Occupation:
Upon the receipt of the above information, your payment will be approved and
paid to you by wire transfer to your nominated bank account,
you are advised to get back to me immediately for more
clarifications.
We wait to hear from you.
Thanks for your cooperation and patient.
Mr. James R.Campbell
Public Relations Officer.
Broadcastle Bank London
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Anti-fraud resources:
