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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:
- "into 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)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: HSBC Regional Bank FL <filesservices288@gmail.com>
Reply-To: HSBC Regional Bank FL <officialsservice@onet.com.pl>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2017 05:13:28 +0900 (JST)
Subject: This is from Office of the Foreign Remittance Department
This is from Office of the Foreign Remittance Department.
HSBC Miami Florida USA.
With due respect and utmost courtesy, we write to officially acknowledged receipt of your e-mail communication regarding the release of your overdue fund valued sum of $15,000.000.00 USD which was approved for release via Swift Telegraphic Wire Transfer into your into your nominated bank account.
However, in strict adherence with our payment policy, you are expected to fill out the enclosed "Fund Transfer Request and Authorization (FTRA) Form" as attached in this message.
Please return the complete form to us via email for immediate processing of your fund remittance into your bank account, If you need any additional information, you are adhere to let us know immediately.
Fill out below form and return it immediately;
1. Your valid ID:………
2. Your full address:……..
3. Your Telephone Numbers:…
4. Bank Name………..
5. Bank Account Name:……..
6. Your Account no#……….
7. Routing Number:………..
8. Swift Code:……………
9. Bank Address:………….
Thanks for your understanding as we guarantee to serve you better with co-operation and understanding.
Yours Sincerely.
Mr. Richard J. Moseley
Chief Executive Director HSBC Regional Bank FL.
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Anti-fraud resources:
