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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: BANK OF AMERICA BOA <fazul@libertyinsurance.com.ph>
Reply-To: www.bankamerica1@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 15:56:28 +0800
Subject: WELCOME TO BANK OF AMERICA TRANSFER UPDATE. URGENT REPLY IS
NEEDED.
BANK OF AMERICA (BOA)
2001 Ross Ave, Suite 100
City and Zip Code: Dallas, TX 75201
WELCOME TO BANK OF AMERICA TRANSFER UPDATE.
This is to alert you that we received your fund worth the sum
$27,000,000.00 from the (GOVERNMENT) Of Nigeria Africa to make
immediate transfer of the doe amount above to any of your nominate
Bank/Account. We are informing you to send your information and
Banking details where you desire to receive the fund. The
Information?s we need is such as the following:
1 Your Full Name:
2. Your Current Address:
4. Your telephone numbers
5. Banking details
6. Scan copy of your valid ID card.
Without your id card your fund can not be transfer into your bank
account. Your Id card is very vital.
Waiting for your urgent respond.
Thanks for the patronage.
Bank of America
Bank President
MR.MERRILL LYNCH.
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Anti-fraud resources:
