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:
  • "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "lee oswarld" <oswarldlee1@mailbox.hu>
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 16:29:53 +0100
Subject: GOD HAS DONE IT..CONTACT MY SECRETARY


Hello My good friend


I wish to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred
under the cooperation of a new partner from paraguay. Now I am in U.K for
investment projects with my partner.Therefore contact my secretary in
Nigeria his information are below;

CONTACT: MR. VITUS ONOCHIE
ADDRESS: No. 46-bia fraland Estate, Lagos, Federal Republicof Nigeria.
EMAIL: vitusonochie113@post.ro

He will send you a CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT of ($650.000.00 )compensation which
I kept for all the past efforts and attempts you made to assist me in that
transaction.

Therefore, you should send him your full Name, telephone number and contact
address for his reference and make further arrangement with him on how you
want to receive your check.

Thanks you in anticipation for your past efforts and God bless you.

Oswarld Lee .Esq,

GOD HAS DONE IT..CONTACT MY SECRETARY

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam