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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "HSBC Bank Plc UK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <p_hsbcbank@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2014 11:15:18 -0700
Subject: RE: Immediate Remittance of Your US$10.5M Within 48hrs
HSBC Bank Plc
8 Canada Square
London E14 5HQ UK
Mr. Beneficiary,
RE: Immediate Remittance of Your US$10.5M Within 48hrs
We write to notify you that we have received a pre-advice instruction from World Bank to credit your nominated account with US$10.5M and debit their coded a/c with our branch within 48hrs as your over due inheritance payment. This instruction was received last Monday from world bank headquarters
Be informed that we will release the transfer upon the reconfirmation of your bank details,
1. Your bank name and address
2. Your bank account number and account name
3. Bank Swift Code and Iban number
4. Your telephone number and current address
5. Your Company Name and Position
Our telex department will transfer the funds to your account and send to you the telex confirmation slip for further confirmation with your bank upon your response.
Cordially yours,
Mr. Ian Mackay
Group Finance Director.
Hsbc Bank Plc London
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Anti-fraud resources:
