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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: "HSBC BANK PLC." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hsbcpaymentplc@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2012 21:14:24 +0100
Subject: CHANGE OF ACCOUNT PARTICULARS ON YOUR PAYMENT FILE.

HSBC PRIVATE BANK
INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER DEPARTMENT
88 CANADA SQUARE LONDON E14 5HQ UNITED KINGDOM
OFFICIALTELEPHONE: +447024051406
FAX LINE         : +44 7006 0324 50
 
Attention; Beneficiary,
 
You have been reported to be sick and hospitalized for about 8 months now by some one who claimed to be your representative but before we proceed in making the remittance of the contract/Inheritance fund of SIX MILLION AND TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLAR (6.275M) to the account details given to us by this person we are writing to confirm from you first.
 
Did you AUTHORIZE one MR ENCISO VEGA of Indo Group Ltd, COLOMBIA, who is here presently to claim and pay your transfer fee to receive the payment on your behalf?   2. Did you sign any "Deed of Assignment" in his favor? Thereby making him the current beneficiary with the following account details:
Account Name: ENCISO VEGA,
Account No: 114-102-5567-8,
Bank Name: BANCO DE CREDITO,
Address Av. El Sol 189.  Colombia
Swift Code: BCBL 11K111.
 
Therefore, you are required as a matter of urgency to confirm the legitimacy of the above claim and kindly give us reason why you decided to affect the above Change of Account.  If you are not aware of this claim, please confirm to us immediately by stating your authentic account details, including your direct contact telephone.  Note that we are bound to recognize MR ENCISO VEGA claim, if you fail to promptly response/communicate to this inquiry following the Deed of Assignment he submitted to claim this payment.  
 
Please make sure you get back to us as soon as possible, so that the necessary action will be taking immediately without further waste of time.
 
Thanks for Banking with us and your co-operation in this regards while we assure you of our esteemed services.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Mr. James Hogan
Head of Banking Operations,
HSBC Bank plc.
UNITED KINGDOM.

Anti-fraud resources: