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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million united states dollars" (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)
• 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.
  • +447040104667 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • johncollinsoffice@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "charles helderman" <charleshelderman@msn.com>
Reply-To: johncollinsoffice@myway.com
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 23:46:15 +0000
Subject: HELLO....

Dear Sir/Madam,

Sorry i have to come to you openly like this,But really you know anything
that as too do with money issue we just have to find solution to it.And how
i got your email is through the internet have been doing alot of
re-searching on drugs and cosmetics,so i find out you good in what ever you
most be doing and really have been thinking alot on what to do with money i
have maybe i can get it invest in what ever you know it is good at and maybe
something can be coming out from their.

I have a profiling amount of 32 Million United States Dollars secured in an
offshore private bank. I am seeking your assistance in securing these funds
into a safe account for future investment purposes but requiring maximum
confidentiality. This is bourne out of the fact that I am still in active
service in the Ministry here in Scotland-UK.

I have your datas with me,i just want to be sure if you still make use of
this Information you stated on the internet,so i can find time to call
you,or better still call me on my private line....+44-704-010-4667,will be
hoping to get your call.Upon your positive response to my proposal, I will
provide you with the following information:

* How I will introduce you/your company to the holding bank and make you the
beneficiary of the money.

* Who I am and why I have decided to sought for your assistance.

* What percentage of the money I am willing to give you for your assistance.

Kindly respond with your private phone and fax numbers for easier and faster
communication.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
GET BACK TO ME AT : {johncollinsoffice@myway.com}

John Collins.



--

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam