419 scam: "HAROLD SMITH"<www.@alpha.ocn.ne.jp> Good News

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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 certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance permit" (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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "HAROLD SMITH" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <haroldsmith201717@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2018 17:00:39 +0100
Subject: Good News

UK TREASURY DEPARTMENT, LONDON
Unit 1, Horse Guards Road, London SW1A 2HQ, United Kingdom

Dear,

REF: PART PAYMENT OF US$3.5MILLION

This is to notify you that the World Bank have assigned UK TREASURY
DEPARTMENT, LONDON UK in conjunction with the Central Bank of
Nigeria,Bank of America, Barclay's Bank and Asian Development Bank to
settle all the debts owned by Africa,Europe, America, and Asia
Governments This is as a result of joint meeting held by United
Nations, World Bank, Britain, European Union and America.

The World bank/United Nations has contracted UK TREASURY DEPARTMENT
LONDON for supervising, handling/processing of your payment with other
Contractors, Inheritance Lottery Winners and Internet Scam
Dating/Marriages. We have vetted and evaluate of your file, which the
World Bank/ United Nations submitted to us for immediate payment. Be
informed that you are entitled to receive part payment of US$3.5
Million (Three million five hundred thousand United States Dollars.

From our findings, you have been going through hard ways by paying
lots of charges to corrupt and faceless individuals and government
officials to release of your funds, which has been
delayed.Please,henceforth stop further communication with anyone in
regards to this development; Any further communication with your past contacts
concerning this matter is at your own risk. The only requirement we
need from you which is irrevocable is for you to obtain Financial
Service Authority Clearance certificate (FCA) which will be issued to
you by World Bank Representatives currently sitting in Nigeria West
Africa. You will contact their office in Nigeria and obtain your FSA
Clearance Permit and forward the copy to our office here in London for
release of your funds by Swift Wire Transfer or Cash payment in your
country in accordance with British Financial Regulation Laws.

Unfortunately one Mr. Scott Neville reported in our Office, claiming
to be your representative, because of your ill health condition,please
kindly confirm that you sent this man on your behalf..if not,Send your
full name, address, valid identification and telephone numbers. When
you follow our directives, you will receive your funds within seven
working days from the date .

Congratulations in advance.

Yours faithfully
Harold Smith

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam