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)
• 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.
  • bothaowen@mac.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Botha Owen" <botha.owen@email.bg>
Date: Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:03:44 +0300
Subject: ***From Botha Owen***


Dear Friend,&nbsp;I am making this contact based on my Department needs an
individual/company who can help us with the transfer of a contract
entitlement.&nbsp;This amount (US$14.5M) represents the balance of the total
contract value executed on behalf of my Department by a foreign contracting
firm. This amount we have gotten approval to transfer abroad to any foreign
bankaccount.&nbsp;This transactionis 100% safe and legal in all areas, we are
only handicapped in the circumstances, as the South African Civil Service Code
of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore account hence your importance
in the whole transaction.&nbsp;I have the authority of my colleagues involved
to propose that should you be willing to assist us in this transaction your
share as compensation will be US$4.35M(30%), while my colleagues and I receive
US$8.75M (60%)and the balance of US$1.45M (10%) for taxation and miscellaneous
expenses incurred.&nbsp;We have reposed our confidences in you and hope that
you will not disappoint us. Kindly send me your direct telephone/fax number
to: bothaowen@mac.com to enable me reach with further details upon your
acceptance to help us.&nbsp;Once again, Please remember that time is of great
essence in this transaction. I will appreciate your prompt response.&nbsp;I
wait in anticipation of your fullest
co-operation.&nbsp;Yoursfaithfully,&nbsp;Engr. Botha Owen.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam