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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "account opening" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "account opening form" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Antony John Blinken US Secretary <mrrichardken1@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
FROM THE DESK OF
Antony John Blinken
71st United States Secretary of State
ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY
I am glad to announce to you today that a new payment policy has been
adopted and you have been short listed for payment through Online
Banking,So kindly urgent contact ONLINE Bank Federal Reserve Bank of
Chicago ,where the funds approves by united states government to
transfer your funds online into your account and we are to assure you
to follow their online payment instruction to make sure the
transaction goes successful. Here is the contact information of
Online Banking Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago:
Contact Person: Mr. JOHN C. WILLIAMS
Email; ( redacted@domain.name )
Endeavor to email the Bank ON BELOW following details for
immediate processing of your electronic online transfer of total
$15.5million here,
FULL NAME:.......................
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:...........
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:............
FAX NUMBER:.....................
OCCUPATION:......................
MARITAL STATUS:.................
AGE:.............................
A COPY OF YOUR ID OR PASSPORT ATTACHMENT:....
These are the requirements that you need to be aware of, before you
contact the bank below .1) you will fill the online account opening
form Online Bank Reserve Bank of Chicago. Send him an email in
regards to your approved sum of $15.5Million that has been approved by the
Federal Government of united states of America to transfer on your
behalf through Federal Reserve online banking service.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr Antony John Blinken
71st United States Secretary of State
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Anti-fraud resources:
