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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "ibtc.zonengplc@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: "Mr John GoodMan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ibtc.zonengplc@live.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:21:42 -0800
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
DEPT: WORLD DEBT RECONCILIATION AGENCIES.
ADVISE: YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Attention: Please,
This is to inform you that we have acknowledged the reconfirmation of your email that you are very much alive and as we speak now we have concluded adequate arrangement with our paying Affiliated bank here towards your fund swift remittance to you as soon as you open communication with them.
You are here by advised to get the paying bank contacted at once for your fund swift remittance to your bank account to take place, as no delay must be entertained at this very stage to ensure that swift remittance of your fund to your nominated bank account takes urgent effect.
Our Paying Bank Contact Information:
IBTC Chartered Bank Plc
I.B.T.C. Place,Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island, Lagos State
Director in charge: Mr. Kenneth Yinka Sanni
E-MAIL: ibtc.zonengplc@live.com
TELEPHONE: +234 8081365609
Open Fast Contact With The Paying Bank And Keep Me Updated At Once..
Our Wish Is To Serve Your Best.
Yours In Service,
I await your prompt compliance shortly or you can call me immediately you
receive this mail for further directives +234 7084365828.
Regards,
Mr John GoodMan
Office of the IMF NIGERIA
Phone: +234 7084365828.
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Anti-fraud resources:
