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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- barclaysbank57@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "barclays" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barclaysbank57@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:12:43 +0100
Subject: BARCLAYS
FINAL WIRE TRANSMISSION MESSAGE.
BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON.
Canada Square Branch Office.
Office Of Mr. Ronald McGregor
( WIRE/TELEX DEPARTMENT )
Re:-Fund Transfer Notice.
Dear Beneficiary.
This is to notify you that your over delayed inheritance fund,
part-payment of USD$10.5Million was transferred to your nominated bank account in
Canada in accordance with instruction from the Federal Trade commission
US/Canada.
Wire Receiving Details.
Name of Bank: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
Bank Address: 370 Connell St. Unit 5 Woodstock, New
Brunswick, Canada
E7M 5G9
Swift Code: CIBC CATT
Account # : 9206598838
Beneficiary: Bills Edmonton Jr.
Above is the account already credited with the said part payment
please confirm receipt of this wire transfer information for record purposes as we
have today worked out the balance of USD$5Million to be released to same
account.
We sincerely apologize for the delay in completing the transfer. If
find any thing confusing do not hesitate to contact us immediately on direct
E-mail: barclaysbank57@yahoo.co.uk
Congratulations.
Thanks.
Mr. Ronald McGregor
Head Of Remittance Operations
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Anti-fraud resources:
