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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:
- "transfer into your 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.
Fraud email example:
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA <"WWW224."@salsa.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA <officefile01.info@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2017 12:18:27 +0900 (JST)
Subject: To release $8.5 Million into your Account or ATM Card
Attn: Dear Customer
Be informed that your family compensation funds of total $8.5 million is finally deposited here in Royal Bank of Canada. Deposit of the funds on your name was made by united nation Officer Mr.Benson Laurens.
You advised to urgently contact this Royal Bank to forward your receiving information such as contact address where to pick up an ATM visa card $8.5 million or bank wire Transfer into your account without any delay.
You should also try to understand' that payment of $8.5 million to you is expected to be finalized within 5 bank working days' therefore quickly forward your contact address or your banking information for those releasing of the funds to you soonest.
I am waiting to hear from you.
Sincerely yours,
Mr.Jocelyn Desgagne
Financial Controller
Royal bank of Canada
Bank Address 5263:Rue Louis-Francoeur
Montreal, Quebec H1g 3b3 Canada
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Anti-fraud resources:
