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:
  • "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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +31626660160 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • eurosmillion2006@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: "Jessica OZ" <eurosmillionagency1@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 14:56:40 +0000
Subject: YOU HAVE WON (CONGRATULATIONS)

LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION/ FINAL NOTICE
EMAIL LOTTERY SWEEPSTAKES
(ACCREDITED LICENSED AGENT TO EUROMILLION LOTTERY)
http://www.euromillion.be/euromillions.php?action=recentdraw
Ref. Number: 182/415/7693
Batch Number: 3152-8784-GD 19

Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you about the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 13th of Febuary 2006. Your e-mail address
attached to ticket number 208613104- with serial number 081-214-735 drew
lucky
numbers 7-23-17-21-11-45, which consequently won in the 1st category, you
have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
US$ 1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to the mix up of some numbers and name's we ask that you keep your
winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and
your money Remitted to you.

This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and
Unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
over 30,000 company and 60,000,000 individual email addresses and names
from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three
years.

This lottery, was promoted by the software corporation to compensate some
few individuals with website and email addresses, we hope that with part of
your winning you will take part in our next year USD50 million international
lottery.

To file for your claim, please contact our FIDUCIAL AGENT:
Mr. Max Williams of EUROMILLION LOTTERY AGENCY.
TEL: 0031-626-660-160
Email: eurosmillion2006@netscape.net
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 12th Febuary 2006.


After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications
Please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all
Correspondence.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as
soon as possible.

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being
part of our promotional program.

To file for your claim, please contact our FIDUCIAL AGENT:
Mr. Max Williams of EUROMILLION LOTTERY AGENCY.
TEL: 0031-626-660-160
Email: eurosmillion2006@netscape.net
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Jesica OZ.
(Lottery Coordinator)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam