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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:
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- "mdhsb_transfer@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "mdhsb_transfer@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.
- +447010047854 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: HSBC BANK UK <anehung@acoe.com.tw>
Reply-To: "mdhsb_transfer@live.com" <mdhsb_transfer@live.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:44:28 +0800 (CST)
Subject:
Attention: Sir/Madam
HSBC abbreviation origin was founded in the former British colony (in March
1865) In February 2008; HSBC was named the world's most valuable banking
brand
by The Banker magazine. We are celebrating the HSBC bank in UK London. Do
not be
surprise among 45 email id your email has been selected in our software
engine
to claim total sum of {YOU HAVE JUST WON 750,000 POUNDS}, {AND A JOB
OPPORTUNITY}.Your secret pin code is {25512560} please keep it very
confidential
to yourself for security reason which is the key to your amount of YOU
HAVE JUST
WON SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS.
Please do not take this email as joke or something else because all
information
is 100% sure and correct. This message was sent directly YOU HAVE JUST WON
750,000 POUNDS from the HSBC BANK U.K which we have already confirm you to receive
this
amount of YOU HAVE JUST WON 750,000 POUNDS. All the original certificate that
protect your amount will be sent to you, with due respect of the HSBC bank
background with management and staff we say congratulation to you and we
promise
to deliver your funds to you in your country and we will reach you
successfully
in good health and handover your won prize to you. Once again do not
delete this
email as it 100% sure from HSBC BANK U.K just follow the instruction given to
you and see for yourself what will happen.
Please fill the form correctly to enable us contact you easily thank you for
your kind attention.
1. Full Name:
2. Address:
3. Nationality:
4. Age: Date of Birth:
5. Occupation:
6. Phone: ..Fax:
7. State of Origin: . Country:
YOU CAN ALSO CALL FOR VERIFICATION: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT THIS
Email: mdhsb_transfer@live.com
Name: Mr.James Smith
Email: mdhsb_transfer@live.com
Phone: +447010047854
HSBC BANK LONDON
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Anti-fraud resources:
