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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: "Standard Chartered Bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <peterhomes@rediffmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 04:29:03 -0400
Subject: Transaction Notification Service...

Standard Chartered Bank,
London,United-Kingdom,
Head of Operation,
Private Banking Division.
 
 
Dear Beneficiary,
 
We are contacting you based on the official mandate given to us to pay every foreign beneficiary who has not received their payment. This includes those that lost money to scammers in pursuit of their payment without receiving. This record was gathered from the western union money transfer agencies and money gram that has the records of all in and out going money transfers worldwide.
 
You are hereby officially informed that a total sum of $2.5 Million was deposited under our custody for further credit to you as part of the money you were waiting for. This money was extracted from over three billion recovered by the United Nation & World Bank financial task force from different commercial banks as part of foreigners’ funds on hold which was recently approved for settlement of debts & compensation to all concerned beneficiaries.
 
We therefore advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence outside this office since you do not have to pay any money or fee to receive your funds as you have met with the whole funds transfer requirements.
We will commence on your payment as soon as we receive your personal information including your (1)Name / Address/Tel numbers (2)Occupation (3) Date of Birth.
 
WARNING: Please note that we did not allow or deal with any unauthorized representative to receive fund on behalf of any client to avoid paying to a wrong person unless you informed us directly with reasons & approved legal power of attorney on behalf of your recipient.
 
Secondly: We want to apologize earlier for any inconvenience that you may encounter from us base on time difference because this department/Office will give not compromise to give you a telephone call or message at any time we needs inquiry from you to complete our service in your favor.
 
 
Thanks,
Yours Sincerely,
Peter Homes.
Account Officer.
Email : peter.holmes@accountant.com

Anti-fraud resources: