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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:
- "into your nominated bank 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)
- "cashiers check" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: johnbosco onuorah <johnboscoonuorah8@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrallenrobinson@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2022 01:16:48 +1300
Subject: attention my dear
Dear Sole Beneficiary,
My Name is Mr.John Gregg the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
the Corporate and Investment Banking division of Sun-Trust Bank
Financial Corporation
This message is very important and should be regarded as such.,
We have severally sent you this mail without a respond
from you and this will be our last notice to you.
I want to personally inform you once again that your scammed victims
compensation
funds is now deposited to our our Bank and ready awaiting
to receive the following information from you today to open
and Credit your US$1.8 Million into your account.
We have received a mandate and instructions from the (IMF)International
monetary fund And U.S Treasury Department's to commence the immediate
release
of your funds through one of the following payment options stated below
depending on your choice:If you have received your user ID kindly login below
https://www.suntrust.com/
if no then choose your choice of payment and we will immediately send your login
details today
1. Payment via Automatic Teller Machine (ATM card Delivery to your home
address)
2. Certified Cashiers Check or Bank Draft
3. Online Banking ( Bank To Bank Wire Transfer).we send your account
login
Information immediately
Therefore Kindly Provide Your Below Details To UN-Trust AND Sun-Trust
Bank For The Online
Account process and delivery:
Valid Delivery Address:
Full Names:
City:
State:
Your Private Mobile phone Number for the Priority Express Mail to
Contact you
when they arrive at your door step========:
The Total fees for your fund is 150 USD as indicated.You should be
aware of the fact that your prize money is under insurance coverage and
as result of that the transfer/ Delivery charges
cannot be deducted from the total sum until your prize money is
transferred/delivered
to you wholesomely without tampering by any person, no charge/charges
can be
withdrawn or deducted from your fund until the fund is transferred into
your nominated bank account IMF instruction for security reasons
Your immediate compliance urgently needed and the customer care will
reply immediately
Yours Truly
Mr.John Gregg
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trust Securities,
the Corporate and Investment Banking division
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Anti-fraud resources:
