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:
  • "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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • jeffaku200@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: williamsobi005@zipmail.com.br
Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:31:39 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Hello=20Dearest=20Friend=2C=20?=

Hello Dearest Friend,

I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction,the
money has been transferred to London through the assistant of Mr.Howard
Ferraro who is a London base business man.

Currently I am in London with him and my wife and children.

However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,you
made me what I am now though you are not there to complete this project
with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you.

I know it is not your fault or rather your wish to back off on me and the
transaction, I understand it was simply because of some circumstances you
could not control.

In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a Compensation and
wrote on your favor a certified bank cheque worth of US2.5000.00.(two millon
five hundred thousand, United States Dollar Only) I left the cheque with
my Secretary Mr.Jeff Aku, on my departure to London.

I would like you to contact him yon the below info and instruct him where
to send the cheque to because i have directed him on that already.

Attn: Mr Jeff Aku

Email:(jeffaku200@yahoo.fr)

As soon as you recieve the cheque you let me know because i am busy here
trying to put things together and may not be chanced to email you frequently.Feel
free to contact him for your cheque.I will stop here.

Once again,thank you very much and remain blessed.

Regards,
Dr, Williams obi.




--

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam