joewein.de LLC fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter! Free trial for 30 days

"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

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:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • barriwu@fastermail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "BARRRISTER INNOCENT IWUNDU" <barriwu@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barriwu@fastermail.com
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 12:06:21 +0000
Subject: URGENT CALL FOR MORE CLEARIFICATION.

FROM BARR INNOCENT IWUNDU,
NO 3 MARINA STREET,
LAGOS NIGERIA.
PHONE 234-8033686505

Dear Friend,
I am Barrister Innocent Iwundu, a Business
Consultant/Attorney to Mr. Benson a
National of your Country, who worked with SHELL
PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (SPDC)in Niger Delta
State of Nigeria. In August, 2001, My client were
involved in a fatal Motor accident along Shagamu -
Benin Express Road, which claimed his life, wife and
two of his sons. Since then, I have made several enquires to your embassy to
locate any of his extended relatives, but this had proved abortive, after
several!efforts and attempt to locate member of his family. Now, I am
soliciting you to act as the Next-of-kin to My late client in repatriating
the money and properties left behind by my client before they get
confiscated by the CITI BANK PLC where the deceased had deposited the funds
valued $12.5Million U.S. Dollars.
However, I have issued a Letter of administration to
provide the next-of-kin within 21 working days or have the account frozen.
Therefore, I want to present you as the next-of-kin to the late deceased,
since you have the same surname, so that the proceeds of his account !could
be paid to you and thereafter, you and I can share the money. 40% percent
for you, while 60 percent for me and my chambers. Also, I will use my
position to obtain all necessary documents to back-up our claims,On this
note, I required your full co-operation and understanding by forwarding to
me YOUR ADDRESS,to enable me put-up the claim for processing and payment.
and send me your telephone/fax number to enable us to discuss the final
conclusion of the deal. Looking forward to hear your prompt respond and
urgent call.Please reply me with this email address ( barriwu@fastermail.com
)
Yours faithfully,
BARRISTER. Innocent Iwundu
you call me now.
PHONE; 234-8033686505.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam