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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: "U.S. Bank" <edithmike53@gmail.com>
Reply-To: usbank.file213@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2021 15:59:46 +0100
Subject: RE: INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT

--
*U.S Bank*
*1025 Connecticut Ave.*
*NW, Ste. 510. Washington, DC 20036.*
*Phone: +1-646 687 4438*

*Attention: Fund Beneficiary,*

* RE: INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT*

*This is to notify you about the status of your funds right now on my desk.
After due vetting and evaluation of your payment file which the US
Department of The Treasury forwarded and contacted us to see your immediate
payment. From our findings you have been going through hard ways to see to
the release of your funds which have been delayed.*

*We advised that you stop further communication with any correspondence
from Uk, Asia, Nigeria or any part in the world. The only thing required
from you is to obtain a Non-Resident Clearance Certificate. We will help
you to see that you obtain the certificate legally so that your funds $10.5
Million can be transferred into your bank account. If you follow our
directives your funds will be transferred into your account within three
(3) bank working days from the day you obtain the certificate.*

*Do not go through anybody again but through this bank if you really want
your funds to be released to you.*

*Please re-confirm your information as stated below to enable us to proceed
with the release/transfer of your funds.*

*1. Full Name:*
*2. Address:*
*3. Phone Number:*
*4. Occupation:*
*5. A copy of identification via email attachment (Int'l Passport or
Driver's License)*

*I await your urgent response.*

*Yours sincerely,*

*Mr. Rick Ruzzi,*
*Director, Foreign Payment Department*
*and Country Business Manager,*
*U.S Bank.*

Anti-fraud resources: