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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Elon Musk Team." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <citibank@officefile1000.onexmail.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2022 10:08:37 -0700
Subject: YOUR DONATION OF $4,124,270.00. FROM ELON MUSK TEAM

Greetings from the team,
 
Thank you for your answers..
 
Your details have been sent to my bank (CITI BANK OF INDIA) and the
International Banking Payments Unit is waiting for a confirmation
email from you. You will need to email my bank and provide this
donation reference number [A4B322022] to verify and simplify the
payment process for the 130 BTC (BITCOIN), which is equivalent to
$4,124,270.00. I urge you to work with my bank to facilitate a smooth
and successful transfer of the money I have donated to you.
 
The gift can be requested via BTC or converted into cash and sent by
bank transfer. I also opened a double claim last week as recipients
were informed that friendly relatives, lawyers and third parties have
closed their donations. As a result, these close friends, relatives,
lawyers, and third parties tried to solicit gifts on behalf of the
actual recipients, which caused problems for my bank. Please note that
the double claim identified in the withdrawal process will certainly
result in the cancellation of this donation, resulting in a loss for
both the double and the actual beneficiary, so you should keep this
secret.
 
You are fully responsible for your donation. You are hereby requested
to keep your data strictly confidential until your authorization is
fully restored by the Bank.
 
Now that you are aware of the nature of the donation, I have provided
this reference [A4B322022] with a donation code number, which must be
kept strictly confidential as you will use it to request this
donation. You must contact the management of my bank (CITI BANK OF INDIA)
immediately to proceed with the transfer of your donation. The bank will
give you more information about how to make the transfer to your account.
 
If you follow the bank's instructions carefully, you will receive this
donation within the next two (2) business days, as these funds are
already available for payment at my bank.
 
BANK CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.
 
Bank name: (CITI BANK OF INDIA)
Email: citibank@officefile1000.onexmail.com
Bank director Of Remittance Dept: Mr. Rajasthan Jaipur
 
Please contact my bank at this email address
{citibank@officefile1000.onexmail.com} to complete this transfer.
NOTE: ONLY CONTACT MY BANK FOR DONATION TRANSFERS AND FOLLOW THE
BANK'S INSTRUCTIONS.
 
Remember that the purpose of this donation is to remarkably improve
the standard of living of the less privileged people in your area and
within yourself. Make the most of it and have a positive impact on the
lives of others.
 
Thank you for your understanding
 
Sincerely,
Elon Musk Team.

Anti-fraud resources: