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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "icbc bank" (not involved with lotteries)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "to 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrschristine@inbox.lv (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS.CHRISTINE LAGARDE" <mrschristine@inbox.lv>
Date: Thu, 02 Apr 2015 13:06:03 +0100
Subject: Re: Dear Beneficiary
International Monetary Fund
Head-Office
Dear Beneficiary
It has been Resolved and Agreed Upon By Board Members And
Directors of
IMF that part payment of your inheritance/contract
fund($10.5millionUSD) be released to you through a special
arrangement by ICBC Bank Of Thailand.The balance will be
paid to you as soon as you confirm initial payment. You are
hereby advised to set up on-line account with the above
mentioned bank so that fund will be credited instantly in
your favor. The bank will give you further directive to
access to your on-line account in order to move funds to
your nominated bank account in your destination.
Your transaction has been legitimately approved and with
100% guarantee to confirm existence of fund provided you
take your time to adhere to every instruction in this email.
Submit your payment reference number:IMFUKXX15,your name and
any of your identity to ICBC Bank of Thailand and the will
inform you what it is going to take you to set up an account
with their bank.
Be rest assured that sum of $10.5 million USD will be
credited instantly by British Deposit Insurance
Incorporation the moment your on-line bank account is
established and you will be given facilities to gain access
to your online account for withdrawals and transfers of
funds by yourself.You are to expected
Best Regards,
MRS.CHRISTINE LAGARDE
Executive Director
E-MAIL: mrschristine@inbox.lv
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Anti-fraud resources:
