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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found 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: "UN/ECO-WAS" <customercare@web.co.zw>
Reply-To: writetogeorge17@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:48:28 +0100
Subject: Notification Of Fund Release And Payment Transfer
THE DESK FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR GENERAL
OF UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA BENIN DU REPUBLIC.
PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF CLAIM YOUR INHERITANCE FUNDS
OFFICE OF DR. GEORGE AKOSA - DEAR BENEFICIARY
This is to inform you that your payment transfer for US$4.5 Million is officially set to be transferred to your Bank Account respectively via
International Bank Transfer so get back to me immediately with your Profile Info such as;
Names .....
Address .....
City & Country .....
Cell/Mobile Number(Compulsory) .....
Telephone(Optional) .....
Your Bank Account Details .....
Immediately you reply this email we shall begin operations for the transfer of your fund to your choice of Bank Account respectively.
OFFICIALLY SIGNED.
DR.GEORGE AKOSA
THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA
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Anti-fraud resources:
