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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:
- "million 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "Pacific Western Bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kori.ogrosky@pacificwest.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2020 12:15:30 -0800
Subject: Pending Transaction Alert
Pacific Western Bank
776 East Shaw Avenue, Ste 101
Fresno, CA 93710.
United States.
Dear Beneficiary,
We are contacting you over the payment of your $10.5 Million Dollars being deposited under our custody by a diplomat agent named William Steven on your behalf. We have tried reaching you several times but couldn't get through and hope you receive this. You are advised to acknowledge the receipt of this email immediately on way forward towards the conclusion of this transaction.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kori L. Ogrosky
CORPORATE SECRETARY/INTERNET BANKING
Pacific Western Bank.
800.654.7962
800.236.2442
Available 24/7 for general inquiries
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2020 Pacific Western Bank All Rights Reserved.
****DISCLAIMER: If you are NOT the intended recipient and you receive this message by mistake either electronically or mechanically, kindly delete it from your list or notify the Pacific Western Bank by Email:customercare@pwblmn.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
