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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your 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)
- 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.
- jusephlau@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Joseph Lau" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jusephlau@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:10:35 -0700
Subject: Attention: Sir/Madam
Attention: Sir/Madam
RE: SWIFT TRANSFER OF US$4.5 MILLION INTEREST INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.
Valued Customer,
I am Mr.Joseph Lau the CEO / Executive Director of HSBC bank Hong Kong. Sometime ago, your contract/inheritance funds was brought to our bank from Economic Community of Hong Kong Foreign Payment Panel made of the world etc. After some period, they recalled the funds back to their treasury.
For the period of time this funds has been in our bank, it has generated an interest of US$4.5 Million, which we consider must be paid to you since you are one of the people who have not received his/her payment. As a matter of fact we the management of this bank has resolved and decided to pay the interest of the funds via Swift Transfer into your account.
What we need from you now is any form of identification. It might be your international passport or your driving license, then your direct telephone and fax number for easy communication.
In view of this you are hereby instructed to contact this office immediately you read this message at this (jusephlau@hotmail.com) and reconfirm your banking particulars. The Bank therefore apologize for any form of delay and inconvenience. We are poised to serve you better and waiting to hear from you.
Mr.Joseph Lau
CEO / Executive Director.
HSBC bank Hong Kong.
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Anti-fraud resources:
