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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand u.s 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.
  • +27738062391 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: sisuluj2@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 15:35:34 +0200
Subject: I Await Your Response


Dear Friend,

I am Mr.Joseph Sisulu,the director of projects, South Africa Department of Minerals & Energy. I am making this contact with you based on my need for an individual/company who is willing to assist me with a solution to a funds transfer.

In unfolding this proposal, I want to count on you, as a respected and honest person to handle this transaction with sincerity, trust and confidentiality it deserves. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of both parties and hope you will keep it as a top secret because of the nature of this transaction.

Within the Department of Minerals & Energy where I work as a Director of Project, I have in my possession as overdue payment bills totaling Forty-Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars (US$47,500,000.00) which i want to transfer abroad with the assistance and co-operation of a foreign company/individual to receive the said funds on my behalf or a reliable foreign non-company account to receive such funds.

More so, I am handicapped in this circumstance, as the South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore account hence your importance in the whole transaction.This amount Forty Seven Million,Five Hundred Thousand represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting firm, which I over-invoiced deliberately.

Though the actual contract cost has been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount, which we have in principles, got approval to remit by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T) to any foreign bank account you will provide by filing in an application through the Justice Department here in South Africa for the transfer of rights and privileges of the former contractor to you.

Your share of the entire sum will be 30% and 3% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses while the balance 67% of the total funds will be mine. The business itself has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.

Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation for absolute confidentiality, I will implore you to reply to this letter on my email address to entertain any questions concerning the clarity of this transaction.

Thank you in anticipation of your co-operation.

Best Regards,
Mr.Joseph Sisulu.
Tel.+27-73-806-2391.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam