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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:
- "hundred thousand us dollars" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Edward Benard <ngoka88@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: edwardbenard@mail.bg
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 08:16:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: READ AND REPLY BACK TO ME
Attn Sir
My names are Edward Ansah Benard,The Credit and Risk Control Manager Standard Chartered Bank Accra Ghana , credit instructions was recently issued from Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA) to credit the company account of Their customer who executed contract with the Ministry of Sports South Africa.
An empirical analysis carried out on the credit information report(CIR) and Debt Reporting System(DRS) on projected debt service based on contractual obligation documents attached,I captured that the sum of $11.6MUSD(ELEVEN MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) was approved in excess.The principal sum was credited to the contractors account which the excess left floating pending.
I have contacted the remittance authoriser ABSA who has made an exhaustive inquiry and we have decided to neither to leave the money rather remit it to a nominated account overseas,hence contacting you to assist by making provision of account.
On acceptance I will send a close confidavit to meet up with you in your country for negotiation on terms of disbursement and also make arrangement with a reputable asset management company who will assist in procurement and management of any investment we are likely to go into in your country.
This opportunity is confidential and risk free as we have worked on the modalities to avoid possible trace.
Awaiting your response at your earliest convenience.
Regards
Dr Edward Ansah Benard.
Manager;Credit and Risk Control
Standard Chartered Bank
Accra Ghana
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Anti-fraud resources:
