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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Kim Ho" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chinab.hsbcpayofficer@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 03:16:43 +0700
Subject: RE: PAYMENT OF US$800,000.00 INTEREST INTO YOUR ACCOUNT:

 
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation,
(HSBC), Bangkok Thailand.
From: The Desk of
Mrs. Kim Ho
Managing Director,
 
 
RE: PAYMENT OF US$800,000.00 INTEREST INTO YOUR ACCOUNT:
 
I am Mrs. Kim Ho, Managing Director, Corporate Services Division and Head of Swift Transfer Unit of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Some time ago, in our bank your inheritance fund was brought to our bank by the National Lotto Group here in Asia and after some period, the money was taken back to their treasury.
 
But for the period of time this money was in our bank, it generated an interest of US$800,000.00, which we are about to pay you Via our International Certified Bank Draft to enable you cash your funds.
 
For your information and advice, you need to hasten up to pick this Fund because from time to time the National Lotto Group auditors do come to our bank to cross-check our files and our financial update, the earlier you comply with the demands of the delivery of the fund, the faster the action, because when the auditors arrive and find out that this interest fund is still in our bank they will call back the accrued interest to the lotto treasury account.
 
What we need from you now is any form of your identification for example; your International passport or your driver license, your telephone and fax numbers for easy communication.. More so, your mailing address where this Draft will be delivered.
 
As a matter of fact, we don’t have enough time to waste since we have wasted time in contacting you through phone, so try and comply with the entire necessary requirement for the transaction.
 
Contact: Mr. China Boyanchai.
E-Mail: chinab_hsbcpayofficer@yahoo.com.hk
 
Note, I have attempted to call you but all effort failed and I had to send you a mail on this email address, which I guessed belongs to you.
 
Expecting your immediately response.
 
 
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Kim Ho.
Managing Director.
*********************************************************************
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Bangkok Thailand CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This transmission may contain confidential information protected by state or federal law. The information is intended only for use consistent with the state business discussed in this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action based on the contents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please delete this email and notify the sender immediately. Your cooperation is appreciated.
*********************************************************************
 

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