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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "million united states 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)
• 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.
  • mikefredrick55@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Fredrick Mike" <info1_mail9@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: mikefredrick55@yahoo.it
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 19:03:51 +0100
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF MR. MIKE FREDRICK


FROM THE DESK OF MR. MIKE FREDRICK
CHAIRMAN PAYMENT APPROVAL
FROM THE PRESEIDENCY.

ATTN:BENEFICIARY,

YOUR $3M DOLLAR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION.
====================================

It was Resolved and Agreed by the Federal government today that your
inheritance/Contract Fund would be release to you, From the records of
outstanding Contractors due for Payment with the Federal Government of
Nigeria, your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the
outstanding contractors who have not received their payments,

Since the Retired of the Nigerian Former Head of State President, so now the
new Head of State President Mr.Umar Yar'Adua has ordered those who have not
gotten their Payment to respond back.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from
my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is USD$3M,(Three
Million United States Dollars only) Kindly re-confirm to me your information
urgently as stated in this mail for immediate release of your fund to you
urgently. re-confirm to me the followings.

(1) Your Full Name And address.
(2) Your Mobile, Phone Number and Fax.
(3) Companys Name, Position and Address.
(4) Profession, Age and Marital Status.

I look forward for your full details, As soon as this informations are
received, your Payment will be made to you in your favour through
telegraphic wire transfer to be Wired Directly into your Nominated Bank
Account and a copy of transfer slip will be given to you for you to take to
your bank and confirm it, And get back to me on this mail(
mikefredrick55@yahoo.it).

THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION AND ANTICIPATED UNDERSTANDING IN THIS MATTER AS
I AM HERE TO GUIDE YOU TO SEE THAT YOUR FUND IS RELEASE TO YOU SMOOTHLY.
THANKS.

MR.MIKE FREDRICK
CHAIRMAN PAYMENT APPROVAL
FROM THE PRESEIDENCY.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam