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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:
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Charles Grandieson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <charles.grandieson@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2013 01:39:03 -0800
Subject: YOUR KIND RESPONSE WILL BE WELCOMED.
Hello Dear,
I am Charles Grandieson the chief accountant of Diamond Bank Plc, Our branch was instructed by the APEX BANK OF REPUBLIC OF BENIN, Cotonou to pay off every contractor that have not receive their payment in the last four years.
Some contractors have not been paid in the last four years and from our database record i was able to find out that one of the listed names happens to have died two years ago, When i tried to contact his family no one came up to claim his fund.
In view of all these i decided to move his funds into a floating account of the bank which i am the only sole personal who has the authority to make payments. On note of this I need your co-operation to transfer the fund into your nominated bank account and to have it shared with you the sum fund in question twenty six million united states dollars(USD$ 26, 000.000.00). I have decided to give you 30% of the total sum if you agree to work with me as a partner.
Once we come in agreement to work together all legal documentations will be processed in your name through the help of a lawyer and the fund will be transferred to your nominated bank account within five banking working days.
If you do state your willingness in this transaction you are required to provide the following information as stated below:
Your full name:
home address:
Direct telephone number:
A scan copy of your international passport or drives license :
Your Occupation:
I look in receiving your mail soonest.
Regards
Charles Grandieson
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