joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr William Bryant" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <william.bryant007@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 19:05:49 +0100
Subject: INSTRUCTIONS TO TRANSFER THE FUNDS INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.

CITIZENS BANK.
8260 W Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
County Operator: Mr William Bryant
We are regulated by the U.S.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC
 
Your Account Ref Number: 1/2367/ITB/14
Your New Online Account number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Your New Online Account Pin: XXXXXXXXX
Good Morning to you, We have tried several times to reach you via email, without any response coming from you,after due vetting and evaluation of your credit file with the United Nations Clearing House in conjunction with the Bank Of America Clearing House Forwarded and contracted us to see to your immediate payment of the sum of ($5 Million United States Dollars) from their Offshore Account with us, THE UNITED NATIONS CLEARING HOUSE has mandated this bank to handle all transfer to you through our online bank to bank transfer system.
 
You are to update this bank to reconfirm your interest for the onward transfer of your fund alongside with your full banking info to set up a new online credit account with for you.
 
Below Is the Transfer Details.
 
Date: 30/12/2013 11:58:25 Am
Minimum Account A/C Balance:
Credit Account For Transfer: ******** (Not Active)
Account Activation Code:****
Reference No: D3a63-5e02f-885e
Account Code: QW-21905-AZ
From :Corresponded Offshore Dollar account: 46587921354
Format: Standard Top World Bank
Issuing Bank: Citizens Bank
Current Status: Pending Transfer
Additional Fee: Zero
Total Amount: US$5 Million Dollars Only.
Currency : USD
Interest: Zero (0.0%).
 
 
Get back to us for the account set up. We shall re-activate a new online credit account for you and then forward you with the new online credit account details also known as the pickup code to withdraw your fund at your bank or any of its affiliate online.
 
Note: You are free to contact me through my private email address at william_bryant01@aol.com for more clarifications to enable us have a successful transfer.
 
Your urgent attention to this matter will be highly appreciated.
 
Mr William Bryant

Anti-fraud resources: