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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:
- "your payment is being processed" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Benjamin Ampomah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zenithbankghana123@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:52:15 -0800
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION IN RESPECT TO YOUR
Dear Beneficial,
URGENT ATTENTION IN RESPECT TO YOUR
FUND TRANSFER
After a brief meeting held by the board of directors of Zenith Bank Plc Ghana
Plc, and the Audit and Accounts Unit of Ghana Financial Intelligent
agency here in Ghana, to see to the release of long
term debt owed to many foreigners around the globe who have been
denied of their payments. Our bank (Zenith Bank Plc) has been
authorized to handle the urgent release of all funds owed by any of
the financial institution or country that is a member of the United
Nations, the release of your funds will be handled by Zenith Bank in
conjunction with their preventative of the Ghana Financial
Intelligent Audit Department to ensure immediate payment in your favor
and to avoid delay.
I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that
due to large fund we are transferring this season yours transfer will
be in two installments. Be advised to reconfirm your direct telephone
number addresss and return to our office by email
( ) to enable us start the process of
releasing your fund, be also advised to send a copy of your
identification. As soon as I receive the information mentioned above,
your payment will be made to your account.
You are hereby advised to stop any further communication with anyone
else or any other financial institution and comply with this to avoid
any further delay. Remember that the Ghana Financial Intelligent
Agency and Government of the debtor country will not be interested in
any complaint of not receiving your funds if you fail to adhere to
this instruction.
Regards
Benjamin Ampomah
MANAGER
ZENITH BANK GHANA LIMITED
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Anti-fraud resources:
