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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.
- 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.
- www.barlcays.co.uk@softhome.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC <barclays@blnd.com>
Reply-To: www.barlcays.co.uk@9.cn
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 08:28:59 +0000
Subject: INSTRUCTIONS TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
CLAPHAM JUNCTION BRANCH
7 ST JOHNS HILL
SW 11 1 TN, LONDON
Attention:
I have tried several times to reach you via email but without any response
coming from you. This is to notify you that the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), have approved to settle the outstanding arrears and the long over-due
payment which you have been finding difficult to receive from the International
bank transfer.
You are required to update this bank and reconfirm your interest for the onward
transfer of your fund alongside with your full banking info for the activation
and the withdraw code set up
Below Is the Transfer Details.
Date: 6/3/2011 11:58:25 Am
Reference No: D3a63-5e02f-885e
Account Code: QW-21905-AZ
Withdrawing Code:
From : Corresponded dollars account no:46587921354
Format: Standard Top World Bank
Issuing Bank: West Bank Clearing House WBCH
Current Status: Pending Transfer
Activation and the withdrawer code(Charge):$300.00
Additional Fee: Zero
Total Amount: USD12,340,901-02
Currency : USD
Interest: Zero (0.0%).
Contact Email:www.barlcays.co.uk@SoftHome.net
We urge you to make the payment of $300.00 for the activation and the
withdrawal code,we will reactivate your account and forward you the pickup code
and the new activation code. you can withdraw your fund at your bank or any of
its affiliate.
Your urgent attention to this matter will be highly appreciated.
Yours sincerely.
Dr. David Palmer
Head,Private Banking Section
Barclays Bank Plc IMT Dept.
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