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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "clydesdale"<b.division@clydesdale.com>
Date:
Subject:
Clydesdale Bank
London
United Kingdom
Att.: Sir
Re: Ref.: CLYDEGB22-341 | Amt: (US$8,500,000.00)
Following review of your long with-held payment related documents
in line with the World Bank, Bank of England and assessment
report from the International Remittance Division, your payment
file was forwarded to us for immediate transfer of payment of the
above mentioned amount to your designated bank account from their
Escrow account with us.
The results showed that the irregular activities of some
insincere officials delayed your transfer of funds.Therefore, we
advise you to stop communicating with anyone outside this office
since we have been authorized to make your payments.If you follow
our instructions, your funds will be credited into your bank
account within five to seven (5-7) business days.
Please reconfirm your details by filling/completing the attached
form and return it to us with your IDENTIFICATION (international
passport or driver's license) so we can start processing your
transfer.
Please return the completed form and your ID copy via e-mail or
fax below.
Foreign Banking Division
Clydesdale Bank U.K
Fax: +44-203-868-7276
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Anti-fraud resources:
