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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: BANGKOK BANK <bentofa.bentofa@gmail.com>
Reply-To: swift.telex.transfer.dept@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2021 05:33:30 -0700
Subject: SUBJECT: PAYMENT VIA ATM MASTER CARD.
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Officially Recognized Beneficiary Of: US$10,500,000.00.
SUBJECT: PAYMENT VIA ATM MASTER CARD.
The Bangkok Bank of Thailand Financial Authority during the meeting of
today, The executive financial auditors unanimously resolved to complete
all the favored beneficiaries payments who will benefit from the Huge Funds
earmarked for payments of Long-overdue debts. Each of the favored
beneficiaries like you will receive the sum of US$10.5Million. The Bangkok
bank of Thailand will oversee the processes and effect your payment through
"ATM CARD" payment delivery to your home address.
The Bangkok Bank of Thailand Transmittal Regulatory Office shall protect
you from any unexpected encumbrances on the Fund ATM CARD delivery to your
home address. This will further provide maximum protection to you as the
beneficiary, and ensure easy reception of the Funds to you Via ATM Card
Payment delivery to your home.
We await your urgent response.
Respectfully,
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPT,
BANGKOK BANK.
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Anti-fraud resources:
