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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "KATHERINE GALLAGHER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.katherineruthgallagher1964@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:10:47 -0700
Subject: Awarded Grant Via Wire Transfer Payment System

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Re: Payment of Awarded Grant via wire transfer systems Vide
Circular No: EC/11/09/8537W
Dear Fund Beneficiary
Your immediate attention is hereby drawn to the circular referenced above. Please be informed of the following:  Reserve Bank Council Resolution No. C/1023/FM48/PED- 7/2023, the court/ Financial Regulatory Unit have been directed to transfer this payment due to the Allocated Grant to you the beneficiary here referred above.
Following the mandate, the fortunes were calculated at prevailing exchange rate to date, and valued at $10.5Million (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) Only, with the Central Credit Union Bank of Maryland. In the meeting, lots of procedures were discussed and finally we were able to come up with the below details:
We are assuring you that there will be no complicated protocols to undergo before receiving your fund, and I hope you will tremendously embrace it with a humble and appreciative heart.
Due to the condition for resolving exchange which was the main reason for inability to pay you through the Reserve Bank and other Banks transfers in the past. We have resolved that you contact the Accredited Bank (Central Credit Union Bank of Maryland) for official clearance/Remittance of your Fund with no liens or encumbrances with their Telegraphic transfer systems which the bank will issue the bank transfer slip until the funds digest into your bank account within 48 hours, and their contact information is as follows:
Bank Name: Central Credit Union Bank of Maryland  United States
Address: 8501 Lasalle Rd, Baltimore, MD 21286, USA
Contact Person:  John C. Williams
E-mail: info.helpdesk233@gmail.com
The global office of the Financial Regulatory Unit had given an ultimatum to pay you within 24 hours
Yours faithfully.
MRS. KATHERINE  GALLAGHER
Email: mrskatherineruthgallagher@outlook.com

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