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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:
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "International Monetary Fund" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.jmarkson@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 00.33.13 +0200
Subject: Please Act Accordingly
My name is Dr. John Markson, resident representative of the international monetary fund {IMF} newly posted to United State office. I have been assigned to monitor and investigate fraudulent activities of some of the IMF officials in charge of the Central database payment units.
I am also charged with the responsibility to observe payment of foreign beneficiaries on contract, Lottery and inheritance claim. Inline with this, I have just discovered a floating fund approved in your name but scheduled for transfer to a designated account details below:
Bank Name: UBS SA Bank Address: CASE POSTALE 2600.1211 GENEVE 2 SWITZERLAND
Account Holder: Thomas Webb
Bank account no. USD: 777180.60G
Clearing: 0240 Bank S W I F T-BIC: UBSWCHZH80A
Iban: CH26 0024 0240 7771 8060G
I have therefore decided to contact you because I observed some irregularities; there is a power of attorney which authorized the transfer of this fund to the Switzerland bank account as stated above.
I discovered that the signatures in the power of attorney are different from the signature in your payment file which is on my table. This is illegal means and an attempt to divert beneficiary funds.
Consequently I want you to urgently confirm if you have personally authorized the transfer of this fund to the Switzerland Bank account, my office have the authorization to endeavor this funds is transferred to you as the rightfully beneficiary and also to ensure all transfer charges is deducted from source. If you have NOT authorized any transfer to the above stated Switzerland Bank account, please urgently contact me and do reconfirm your full details as requested below to enable my office take necessary masseurs as well ensure you receive the funds without any hitch or delay.
1. Full Name:
2. Address:
3. Occupation:
4. Phone: and Fax:
5. Copy of Your Identity:
Best Regards,
Dr.John Markson
Resident Representative
International monetary fund {IMF}
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Anti-fraud resources:
