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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "certified bank draft" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024021205 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- remittancedepartmentofficehsbc82@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "HSBC BANK PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <remittancedepartmentofficehsbc82@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:28:16 -0800
Subject: YOUR INHERITANCE/CONTRACT OVR DUE PAYMENT RESOLUTION
Attn. Honorable Beneficiary,
I wish to let you know the latest development after our official
meeting this morning with World Bank representative together with the
UN representative concerning your inheritance/winning and contract over
due payment.
It has been resolved that you will receive your payment through HSBC
BANK PLC which I have been mandated by UNITED NATION in collaboration
with the WORLD BANK GROUP to handle the payment exercise in making
sure that non of you will go through their past experienced.
In this regards, you are warned to desist contact from any person or
group of persons whom you might be dealing with as regards to your
payment so that you will not be extorted because they are no
responsible for your payment.
Be also informed that your payment may be canceled if i find out that
you are still dealing with any other person for your payment according
the instruction given to me by the authorities.
You are advised to reconfirm to me all your info including your
banking details where your funds would be credited into.
I am going to start your transfer process as soon as you reconfirm to
me all your payment details including your account details where you
want the funds to be transferred into.
Note, if you wish or prefer to receive your payment in a CERTIFIED
BANK DRAFT OR ATM VISA CARD, then you have to send other details
exclude your account information.
I wait to hear from you.
Dr. Davis Anderson.
+44-702-402-1205
Email: remittancedepartmentofficehsbc82@yahoo.co.uk
Remittance Director.
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Anti-fraud resources:
