|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sidney Constance" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sidneyyconstance@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:55:32 -0700
Subject: Bank Payment Notification
FROM THE DESK OF MR. SIDNEY CONSTANCE
THE MANAGER FOREIGN OPERATIONS
FUND TRANSFER DEPARTMENT
HSBC BANK LONDON
Our reference: HSBC/725/10
**MIV 00006935**
BANK PRORITY (300 CRF)
Attn: The Ordering Beneficiary,
BANK PAYMENT NOTIFICATION & WIRE TRANSFER INSTRUCTION
We wish to inform you that my bank HSBC has received instruction to pay you the sum of US$5,500,000.00 (Five Million Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) which is based on the understanding and current proposed legislative payment
agreement.
Our Bank as a member of the Financial Services compensation scheme established under the financial services act of 2000,
The Bank is subjected to pay all outstanding debts both in local and foreign currencies.
To ensure that we carry out our normal payment procedures accurately and to help in continually improve our services; we
therefore demand that you send your proper identity to confirm your person as the beneficiary. We shall also require you to
confirm your acceptance and willingness to receive this fund.
Please indicate correct telephone number, address and receiving Bank details. Any information that is not correct may
likely prohibit us from making transfer. Your information will be treated with utmost confidentiality and shall be used for
transfer related reasons only.
We would like to inform you that our Bank shall be making transfer to your account once we have received your full
acceptance by email. We shall open a Non-Resident Investment Account in your name with our Bank and then shall provide you
with e-online Bank details to enable you make online transfer if you wish.
Further enquiries about HSBC Bank could be ascertained upon your email respond.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Sidney Constance
International Payment Department (IPD)
HSBC Bank Plc.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
