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)
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • tonyrichards@inbox.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Kellychambers" <kellychambers@cooltoad.com>
Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 15:29:19 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT PLAN

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Tony Richards. I am reaching you in
regards to the handling of an investment portfolio.

I am soliciting your assistance in repatriating this funds
and property left behind by my late client who died on the
25th of July 2000,ref:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm before
it is been confiscated by the government and declared
unserviceble by the bank where the huge deposit is lodged.

My Client, a German property magnate died intestate and
every attempt to trace any member of his family has proved
unsuccessful and abortive.
Do note that your identity or country of origin does not
matter. I will give you more information upon your response.

You should respond by sending the following;

1. Your full names
2. Tel & fax numbers
3. Complete Address
4.Your occupation

I humbly look forward to your soonest response through my
private E-mail:tonyrichards@inbox.com

Yours Faithfully,

Tony Richards Esq.
London, U.K.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam