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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "cheque " (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: "ALFA BANK PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <foreignoperation-equitydept1@live.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Apr 2011 05:57:57 -0700
Subject: YOUR DELAYED PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Alfa Bank PLC
14th Floor 1 Angel Court
London EC2R 7HJ
United Kindgom
Leicester Currency
Cheque Centre
14th Floor 1 Angel Court
London EC3A 1AT
Telex: 888401
Telegrams: CINNAFOREX
LONDON OFFICE
Our reference 20/725/NW
**ALFA 00006938**
**Ordering Customer:
** ALFA BK **
004 SWIFT TRN 92BK
BANK PRIORITY (300CRF)
Ordering Beneficiary
Attention: Beneficiary,
We hereby confirmed receipt of part payment of US$9,000,000.00 dollars only, into our official ESCROW account with the ALFA Bank PLC in London by order of
the African Development Bank (ADB) in charge of Foreign Debt Recovery Committee on Overdue Contract / Inheritance payments in Africa as indicated in our
database.
Kindly provide us with the below information to reconfirm your details in our database for immediate remittance into your designated account.
Beneficiary name: ______________________________ _________________
Address:______________________ ______________________________ ____
Tel: ____________________________ Fax: ___________________________
Receiving Bank: ______________________________ ___________________
Address: ______________________________ __________________________
Bank Routing Number: _______________ Swift Code: _________________
Account number: ______________________________ __________________
We sincerely apologize for the delays and advice you to STOP any further communication with your associate in any of the African countries for they
contributed 100% hindrances to the release of your funds. our final fund release order will be forwarded to our paying bank, for immediate transfer of
your allocation into your designated account
Fund will be retrieved to treasury after ten (10) business days of this notice.
Yours in service,
Dr Matthew Arnold Wilson.
Manager; Foreign Operation/Equity Sales.
ALFA BANK PLC LONDON UK
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Anti-fraud resources:
