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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • +22993431546 (Benin, probably a 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.
  • starlinecourierco@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 229-93-43-15-46starlinecourierco@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: Oliver Ugoh <oliverugoh1@live.fr>
Reply-To: <starlinecourierco@myway.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 09:35:42 +0100
Subject: CONTACT THEM IMMEDIATELY



Dear Friend,
It has been long we communicated last, am so sorry for the delay, I want to inform you that your check of ($800.000.00) Which my boss asked me to mail to you as soon as you requested it, is still with me. But due to some minure issues, you failed to respond at the Approprete time, and presently the cheque is with me here in BENIN REPUBLIC. Though i had i new contact from a friend of mine who works with one security company here in BENIN REPUBLIC that will deliver you your check at your door step with a cheaper rate, which the company said that it will cost you the sum of $95, so you have to Contact them and register with them now. You have to contact them and furnish them with your phone number and your current contact address to avoid wrong delivery, You should also tell the Company to give you the information on how you will send them the delivery fee $95 immediately so that they will deliver your check without any delay. Below is their email address: starlinecourierco@myway.com Star Line Courier Co.SarlBp 7 Carre 20Cotonou, Rep. Du Benin.Contact Person .. Mr .Oliver UgohDirect Phone.......+229-93-43-15-46starlinecourierco@myway.com Please do get back to me as soon as you have contacted the security company so that i can be able to submit your cheque to them immediately. Thank you.
_________________________________________________________________
Sur Windows Live Ideas, découvrez en exclusivité de nouveaux services en ligne... si nouveaux qu'ils ne sont pas encore sortis officiellement sur le marché !
http://ideas.live.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam