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:
  • "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "with absolute secrecy" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "is 100% risk-free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
  • steven.taylor@terra.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "steven taylor" <steven777taylor@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:12:13 +0100
Subject: response needed


Dear Sir,

This letter might come to you as a surprise knowing fully well that I am a
total, stranger to you, but be rest assured that I am a friend and mean all
the best for you and me. For introduction I am STEVEN TAYLOR son of ex
PRESIDENT CHARLES TAYLOR OF LIBERIA.

The ungoing court trial of my father by the united nations is no longer news
to anyone

Following a detailed search for a reliable contact and through several
information's I gathered from your country's entries of genuine business
people I have decided to commence a very confidential business with you
involving the transfer of USD$25, Million into your company's or personal
account.

This fund originated during my father's tenure as the president of the
country when the struggle against the rebel forces was going on he smuggled
this huge amount to a financial security company in Europe with the help of
those of his partners whom he buys arms from and deposited the whole amount
of money which are in two containerized steel boxes as family valuables in
the vaults of the Europe based Security Company.

This funds are still in the custody of the Financial Security Company here
in europe pending the time we will be willing and ready to clear the funds
and my father has authorised me to look for a trustworhty person who will
assist us keep this money in his or her company or personal bank account for
unword presecution of his legal matters with the united nations. The funds
you should understand will be kept in your bank account and will always be
disbusted for the payment of my fathers legal fees to his lawyers and also
to lobby.

We have decided to compensate your sincere and candid effort in this
transaction with 30% of the total sum, while 10% would be set aside for any
expenses incurred by both parties during the course of this transaction.

Remember this transaction is 100% risk-free because we have taken care of
things on our side and all the necessary documents are all in our family
name and also with me here in Spain, I also expect you to treat this
proposal with absolute secrecy even if you are not prepared to help us with
this transaction.

Please do not be afraid as I will be there to assist you in everyway
possible ans also send your reply to my personal email address
steven.taylor@terra.es<http://correo9.terra.es/cp/ps/Mail/IMsgDetailsShort?d=terra.es&u=steven.taylor&t=12012#>.


Thanks for your anticipated corporation.

I am urgently anticipating your reply.

Thanks.

Best regards,
STEVEN TAYLOR

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam