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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "keep it confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • patricia_01sithole@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Patricia Sithole." <patricia_01sithole@excite.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: patricia_01sithole@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 13:57:28 +0800
Subject: WITH TRUST

FROM: MRS. PATRICIA SITHOLE
EMAIL:patricia_01sithole@yahoo.com

My Dear Friend,

I do understand the concern this letter will bring to you for the fact that it comes from
someone strange to you. But be rest assured for it comes with good intentions. I decided to contact you for your help in assisting me in this business/transferring
some money out from Malaysia into your personal or company account overseas after going through your company profile.

I am Mrs. Patricia Sithole the wife of late Mr. Sipho Sithole from Zimbabwe. My husband was among the rich black farmers murdered in cold blooded in Zimbabwe by
war veterans of President Robert Mugabe. However, the number of farmers killed in Zimbabwe over the new land act introduced by president do not give any concern. My main aim of contacting you is to assist me in transferring the sum of US$5,500,000 (Five million Five hundred thousand United States Dollars) into your nominated overseas account. This money was given to my husband by President Mugabe when they were still in good terms for investment purposes.

My husband deposited this money in a security company in Malaysia,Asia as if he foresaw the looming blow of his death. My husband later deposited the said funds as
family treasure in order to avoid seizure since Malaysia, have almost the same land laws with Zimbabwe.Presently, I am residing in Malaysia with the rest of my family as
asylum seekers.Based on our present status we are deprived of some financial rights of banking activities.Moreover,this money is the only thing my late husband left for us as such the entire life of my family depends on this money coupled with the responsibilities rested on me. I will be willing to go into partnership on any lucrative business you will suggest in your country.

The sharing pattern is negotiable between you and me. I will like you to contact me through my email address.For strict confidential reason in case my proposal arouse your interest or if not, please do keep it confidential.

I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.

Best regards,
Mrs.Patricia Sithole.
EMAIL:patricia_01sithole@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam