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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "into 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)
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "million 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.
Fraud email example:
From: FIRST RHAD TRUST BANK-UK <customer-services-bk@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:52:05 +0000
Subject: IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF YOUR OVER DUE FUNDS BY FIRST RHAD TRUST BANK.
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF YOUR OVER DUE FUNDS AS INSTRUCTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
PAYMENT OF USD $7.5 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY.
REF: FRTB-3271-011.
Dear Sir,
Our bank has not heard from you since we sent you a mail last week concerning the transfer of your
funds into your bank account.
We have being instructed to transfer your funds into your nominated bank account by the United Nations
finance department after an over due delay.
Have in mind that the amount we transferring into your nominated bank account is $7.5 million United States dollars only.
Kindly mail me back to know how and when we can transfer your funds to you.
Your responds is highly need in this matter.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Mr. Charles Edward.
REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT.
FIRST RHAD TRUST BANK.
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Anti-fraud resources:
