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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:
- "clearance document" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <j_horn64@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2015 21:13:07 +0100
Subject: REF: INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.
Attention: Beneficiary.
REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
This is to notify you about the status of your fund presently in my desk. After due vetting and evaluation of your Inheritance file which The Accountant
General of the Federation Forwarded us to see to your Immediate payment.
>From our findings you have been going through hard ways by paying a lot of charges to see to the release of your Fund ($10 000, 000, 00) which has been
delayed. We advice that you stop further communication with any Correspondence from Africa. Your representatives in Africa will tell you to still go ahead
with them But on your own risk.
The only thing required from you is to obtain Funds origin Clearance Document only. We will help you to see that you obtain the Funds Origin Clearance
Document so that our bank will effect Immediate transfer of your inheritance sum ($10 000, 000, 00) in to your designated bank account.
If you follow up our directives your fund will reflect in your account within five working Bank days which you are to furnish us from the day you obtain this
form. Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want your fund.
1. Full Names:
2. Residential Address:
3. Phone Number:
Sincerely,
Mr. John Horn.
Head of International Transfer Banking Division
FIRST DIRECT BANK,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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Anti-fraud resources:
