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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Gary Bitz" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <garybitz53@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 May 2019 22:12:30 -0000
Subject: PLEASE RESPOND IMMEDIATELY

My Good Friend,

I wish to introduce you a good business which I want you to assist me, receive these funds into your bank account in your country.

I am An Auditor from HSBC Bank PLC headquarters, Churchill Place, London, ENGLAND E14 5HP, UK. I discovered this money Nine million, six hundred thousand united state dollars (USD$9,600.000.00) On the course of 1st quarter ending 2017 auditing business financial report as the excess profit made in this branch HSBC BANK USA where i was posted since Last year.

I had already submitted an approved financial report to my head office,and they will never know of this excess money which I have placed this amount on an Escrow Call Account without a beneficiary.

As a foreigner/an Auditor of this bank I cannot be directly connected to this money. All I need from you is to claim these said funds as the original depositor who made the deposit in this branch. Upon your response, I will configure your names/information on our database as holder of the Escrow Call Account.

I will then guide you on how to apply to the head office for the Account Closure/ bank-to-bank remittance of the funds to your designated bank account.I will give you further details upon your acceptance of this proposal and I intend that you shall retain 35% of the total funds as your commission.

Thank you,
Gary Bitz

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