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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: usman bello <usmbello1@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: usmbello4@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:47:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT RECONFIRMATION NEED FUNDS TRANSFER.
      CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
               TELEX DEPARTMENT
Â
Â
RE: OVERDUEÂ CONTRACT PAYMENT INHERITANCE FUNDS
Â
ATTN:CONTRACTOR,
Â
We call to re-confirm the below account prior to our final remittance of your overdue contractual sum. This account was forwarded directly to my desk on Friday 22 April, 2011 by your local representative Mr. Thomas who claims to be your personal friend through a letter from the Senate Committee signed by the Senate President Hon. David Mark replacing your already existing Bank that was with us.
Â
Since all modalities for funds transfer has been finalized today being Wednesday 27TH , 2011 April, we therefore request you to confirm the authenticity of the below account in writing on your company’s letterhead paper so that we can remit by electronic transfer without delay on 29TH April, 2011. Remittance is done via my instruction to our correspondent commercial bank offshore advising them to debit our foreign reserve account and credit your bank account simultaneously. Confirm the receipt of this message immediately.
The new account is thus:-
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA (BBV)
URB. JARDINES DEL PUERTO-LOCAL 8
E-29600 PUERTO JOSE BANUS
MARBELLA - SPAINÂ
SWIFT CODE: BBV EASMM
ACCOUNT NO: LEONARD BERNEY No 90012271
ACCOUNT NAME: INVERSIONES ESPANA S.A.
Â
Looking forward to your immediate advice.
Regards,
DR.USMAN BELLO
TELEX DEPARTMENT(C.B.N)
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Anti-fraud resources:
