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 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.
  • +27738905503 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: frank vuzi <frankvuzi129@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <frankvuzi@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:25:11 +0200
Subject: Mr. Frank Vuzi



Mr. Frank Vuzi
52 Main Street RosettenvilleJohannesburg, Republicof South Africa.Phone= +27-73-890-5503
Good day, My name is Mr. Frank Vuzi, the son of Mr. Themba Vuzi of Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address. Don’t be worried because I am contacting you in good faith. During the current crisis against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers. My father was one of the best farmers in the country and knowing that he did not support the President political ideology, the president supporters invaded my father's farm and burnt down everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments. After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger sister decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along with us the documents of the money my father deposited as personal valuables in a private Security Company in the Republic of South Africa for safekeeping which amounted to the sum of US$21M (TWENTY ONE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) Because of our present status (Political Refugees), my mother and I are seriously looking forward to having an overseas partner that will assist us with the convenient and legal transfer of the funds out of South Africa. If my proposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you 20% of the total fund, and 5% of the total will be set aside to cover any expenses incurred during this transaction. 75% will be for my family to invest in your country under your supervision. For detailed information, you can contact me on the above e mail and phone number. I would appreciate confidentiality and honesty in our correspondence. Your immediate response will be highly welcomed. Best Regards,Frank Vuzi(FOR THE FAMILY)
_________________________________________________________________
Discover the new Windows Vista
http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam