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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:
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: SKYE BANK <dennis478@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: skyebanplc12@outlook.com
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2016 13:33:41 +0100 (BST)
Subject:
Good Day.
After due vetting and evaluation of your payment file
which has been approved in your name by the Nigerian Government to see
to your immediate payment of the sum of $10.5millionUSD from their
Offshore account with us. We where meant to understand from our findings
out that you have been going through hard ways to see to the release of
your fund of ($10.5millionUSD) payment which has been delayed, Well i
need to inform you that your payment has been approval for immediate
crediting as soon as we receive the needed details required for this
transfer.
The only thing required from you is to follow the
instruction of the Bank so that we can assist you remit your fund into
your account. We will help you to see that your fund is been credited
into your bank account as soon as possible Note that this transfer will
be done through online Banking system which is the one of the best in
making such international transfer.
If you follow up our
directives your fund will reflect in your account within two Bank
working days from the day you contact our Bank and follow due
process.Kindly get in touch with us for further clarification. Finally
you are advised to forward to this Bank the follow information such as
your full name and address, Phone number for easy communication before
we can proceed toward your transaction.
Thanks for your
co.corporation as we wait your immediately respond, Kindly get back on
our email or phone number for further clarification.
Mrs Joy Godwin.
Assistance Director of Skye Bank
+2348160304728
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Anti-fraud resources:
