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:
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +2348024572908 (Nigeria, 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.
  • michealawa@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "micheal awa" <michealawa1@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:57:14 +0100
Subject: Mutual Assistance

Dear sir.

I am Mr Micheal Awa, a computer Engineer with central
bank of Nigeria. I am 35 years old, just started work
with C.B.N. I came across your file which is marked X
and your released disk painted RED I took time to
study it and found out that you have paid VIRTUALLY
all fees and certificate but the fund has not been
release
to you.

The most annoying thing is that they cannot tell you
the truth that on no account will they ever release
the fund to you, instead they let you spend money
unnecessarily. I do not intend to work here all the
days of my life, I can release this fund to you if you
can certify me of my security, And how I can run away
from this Nigeria, if I do this, because if I don't I
will be seriously in trouble My life will be in
danger.

Please this is like a Mafia setting in Nigeria, you
may not understand it because you are not a Nigerian.
The only thing I will need to release this fund is a
special HARD DISK we call it HB2/LT. I will buy two of
it, recopy your information, destroy the previous one,
and punch the computer to reflect in your bank within
24 banking hours. I will clean up the tracer and
destroy your file, after which I will run away from
Nigeria to meet with you. If you are interested, do
get in touch with me immediately on receipt of my
mail.

You should send to me your convenient tell/fax numbers
for easy communications and also re confirm your
details, so that there won't be any mistake along the
line

Regards,
Mr Micheal Awa
Computer Engineer
Mobile phone: 234-8024572908
Email:michealawa@yahoo.co.uk

_________________________________________________________________
Download the new Windows Live Toolbar, including Desktop search!
http://toolbar.live.com/?mkt=en-gb

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam