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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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.
- 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: "RICHMOND UGONNA." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <onlinetelex.oceanicbank@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:06:52 -0800
Subject: CONFIRM YOUR FUNDS AS DEPOSITED.
FROM THE DESK OF MR.RICHMOND UGONNA.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF REMITTANCE.
OCEANIC INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC.
Website:www.oceanicbank.com
DIRECT: +234-8058875754.
RE:Confirm Your Funds as Deposited in Your Domiciliary suspense Escrow Account With First Trust Bank UK.
Dear ,Sir.
This is to inform you that based on the instructions we received from our ordering Customers the Nigerian Governemnt,we have secured your approved sum of US$2.5Million funds through our affiliate bankers in London,UK(First Trust Bank). after series of meetings and negotiation with the two European Banks over the payment of your ($2.5M) Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars as instructed by the office of the Presidency.
We have taken it upon our self to take over the payment of your Inheritance funds. We indeed want to complete the transfer of your fund Via our Global Telephone Banking Services because it will grant you the opportunity to access and withdraw your fund any where in the world without any third party interference hence only the funds beneficiary and our affiliate bankers(First Trust Bank UK)has done that already by settng up an account in your name and favour.
Having said that, we want to inform you that the total sum of( $2.5M) has been credited into your online Domiciliary account with First Trust Bank UK. Kindly Dial our UK Affiliate Bank Telephone Number: +44. 2035140869 and follow carefully the voice Instructions: press 2 for transfer department then enter your Nine(9) Digit Account Number: 405099101 followed by your Five -Digit Pin Code: 50905,please call and make the confirmations of your deposit before calling my office.
Furthermore you will be able to confirm your funds but will not be able to complete funds transfer to your designated account until you obtain our bank 6 digits E-Payment secret funds transfer code.
Note that you will be required to process this code before you will be given access to transfer funds from your account with First Trust Bank to your account at any location globally . call my office immediately for the procurment of your E-Payment Secret Funds Code which you will use to transfer the above sum to your designated bank account in any part of the globe by you alone without third party inteference after sending the E-Payment Secret Code fees to our bank.
Sincerely,
REV.DrRICHMOND UGONNA.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE.
OCEANIC INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC.
Direct Line:234-8058875754.
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