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:
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "FATU AHMED" <fatu_ahmed5@colombia.com>
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 10:45:14 +0000
Subject: From:Miss Fatu Ahmed


*From:Miss Fatu Ahmed
**Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire
West Africa*
*
* *My Dear,*
**
*Good a thing to write you. I have a proposal for you this however is not
mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honour against your will.
I am Miss Fatu Ahmed,19years old and the only Daughter of my late parents
Mr.and Mrs.Ahmed. My father was a highly reputable busnness magnet-(a cocoa
merchant)who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days.It is
sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his
business trips abroad year 12th.june 2007.Though his sudden death was linked
or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who
travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth!*
**
*My mother died when I was just 6 years old,and since then my father took me
so special. Before his death on 12th june 2007, he called the secretary who
accompanied him to the hospital and told him th at he has the sum of six
million,seven hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$6.700,000) deposit
security company in Europe.He further told him that he
deposited the money in my name,and finally issued a written instruction to
his lawyer whom he said is in possession of all the necessary but legal
documents to this fund and the security firm.*
**
*I am just 19years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know
what to do.Now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds.
This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant
political crisis here in Ivory coast.The death of my father actually
brought sorrow to my life. I am in a sincere desire of your humble
assistance in this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly
regarded.*
**
*Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
*
**
*1. Can you honestly my guidian?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question
will be good for you after the money is in your
account? *
**
*Please,Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. *
**
*Thank you so much.*
**
*My sincere regards
*
*Miss Fatu Ahmed*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam