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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "GTBank" <info@gtbank.com>
Reply-To: gtbank23@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 06:00:39 +0800
Subject: UPDATE
You’re Ref: SNT/UN/147
Date: 13/09/2010
Attn:
This is to notify you that your file and other Transfer Documents is
currently in my office. It is of utmost importance that I inform you that the
board of senate of the UNITED NATION POVERTY ALLEVIATION DEPARTMENT has held
a meeting regarding your funds transfer of ($1.1 Million)USD that has not yet
been paid out to you. Following the confirmation of your file we discovered
that your personal details are not correct and your transaction was not
completed. As I write to you now be aware that assistance has been put in
place to see that your grant get to you in good fate.
Arrangements have been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible
via Internet banking networking. Your fund was deposited in our transit
account, so we want you to set up a Foreign Currency / Online Account with us
where your total grant will be transferred into and this account will be
activated with your initial deposit of $50 USD only and once this is done
your online account details will be sent to you and immediately you can start
making transfer out from your online account into any bank account of your
choice.
We need your urgent response or call this number +234 706 921 9711 for more
information.
Yours faithfully,
For: GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC
NICK ALEXIA
CHIEF ACCOUNTANT/ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
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Anti-fraud resources:
