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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:
- "transfer into your 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "101231@admin.in.th" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "GTBANK PLC" <info@gtbank.com>
Reply-To: 101231@admin.in.th
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2011 11:46:21 -0400
Subject:
GT Bank Plc.
24 hours Online Service
Online Banking Unit
Date: 7th- 04- 2011
Dear Customer
This is to inform you that we want to complete all old transaction before
we move into new files for the year 2011, after a proper screening and
verification excises that was conducted in our Bank on the 4th of Jan 2011
in addition with the confirmation from the UNDP, that you are one of the
beneficiary of $1.1 Million for the year 2011 UN donation.
Your funds have been deposited in our transit account and will be
available for immediate transfer into your account which you are to set
up, you are advice to open a Foreign Currency Account with us where your
payment can be transferred into.
What next?
We'll advise that you get back to us within the next 2 working days.
Upon receipt of your email we shall send you our sign up application
form,which will allow us to create your account.Please Note that no
deductions of any fees is allowed because we received your money in BOND
and been duly insured, based on our policies and as a result of the space
of time available, you are hereby advised to act fast so we can provide
you with the best of our banking services.Hurry now and contact us
101231@admin.in.th.
Thank you.
UWEM AKAI
For: GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC
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Anti-fraud resources:
