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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:
- "to 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)
- "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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Akpan Joseph" <diamond_officialBnk@msn.com>
Reply-To: afdbkenny01@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 03:45:28 -0400
Subject: Re: 2nd Notice Reminder!!!
African Development Bank Plot 813, Lake Chad Crescent Maitama District Abuj=
a, Nigeria Our Ref: AFDB/NG/SVC/APL/20/182 Your Ref: Date: 18/04/2020 Atten=
tion: Sir/Madam We wish to acknowledge the receipt of your full information=
as requested, However we will not like to have any error with the opening =
of your domiciliary account hence we request that you kindly verify the inf=
ormation as indicated below to enable us set up your domiciliary account wi=
thout alteration or missed information. You are also required to scan a cop=
y of your ID CARD or passport Photograph which will be used for your accoun=
t opening. Opening a domiciliary account in your name is the easiest way to=
transfer fund successfully because your Inheritance fund will be transferr=
ed from your new domiciliary bank account which will be opened for you here=
to any of your bank account on your home country without being stopped or =
delayed by any government agency, since the two account bears the same name=
nobody will query it. This is my personal effort to make sure that justice=
is done to you and your inherited fund is legally released and transferred=
to your Nominated bank account without any more interference by any govern=
ment agencies again. Below are your details, Kindly Reconfirm: Full Name: A=
ddress: DOB: Telephone Number: Any ID Card: As soon you verify your informa=
tion a new domiciliary account will be open for you in our Bank (AFRICAN DE=
VELOPMENT BANK) which will make the transfer of your inheritance fund $6.5m=
easy from your new account to any of your offshore account. Yours truly, M=
r. Akpan Joseph Foreign Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
