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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "million us 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- centralb@bk.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Wilson <hhkk67@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Frank Wilson <centralb@bk.ru>
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 09:16:18 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: YOUR TRANSFER FUNDS
 Dear Friend
I write to inform you that i have deposited your funds to Central Bank Of West African States BCEAO. However: your funds will be transfered to your account once you send your account information to the bank, You know that this transaction have taken longer than expected and I think that the wire transfer is the best and easier way you can receive your funds of $8.5Million US Dollars.
 Contact the below person who is in position to release your fund into your destination bank account within 48hours Director General Rev Charles K Banny,Foreign Remittance Central Bank Of West African States BCEAO Email; (centralb@bk.ru) Phone:(+229) 68.67.07.37 Fax:(+229) 21.67-07-37.You are require to foward the below information's to them to void transfer your funds to a wrong person.
 (1)Your bank name :..........
(2)Beneficiary name :..........................
(3)Your account number : ................................
(4)Routing number : ........................................
(5)Your bank address : .........................................
(6)Your home address : ...............................
(7)Your age and occupation :.........
(8)A copy of your passport :
(9)Your private cell/working number:.............
 Please forward the following informations to them now in there email i gave to you and let me know when you do so and also when you receive your funds in your bank account, also any beneficiary will be responsible for the transfer fee,Be informed that we have paid the bank for the open of a new account fee for you. Meanwhile; listen the only money that remain which you will pay them is transfer fee only. They will transferred your money directly into your nominated bank account at your country and you will receive your fund from Central Bank Of West African States BCEAO. Please make sure you dont make any mistake with those information so that they will not transfer your funds to a wrong person, Am very happy because am strongly beleive that God is in control through out this transaction.
Good Luck.
Best regards
Frank Wilson Sr
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