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:
  • "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. )
• 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.
  • kachi_okenwa@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "WILLIAM KACHI" <williamkachi02@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 02:15:55 +0200
Subject: CONTACT HIM IMMIDIATLY


My Dear,

This is to thank you for your effort.I understand that your hands were
tied.Not to worry. I have succeeded,the money has been transfered into
the account provided by a newly found friend of mine in Australia.
To compensate for your past assistance and commitments,i have dropped
an International Certifie Bank Draft of $1.5m.000.000.00 for you.

I am in Australia with my family presently.I do intend to establish
some business concerns here,and possibly buy some properties.Contact my
Secretary in Benin-Republic Mr. Kachi Okenwa at his email (
kachi_okenwa@yahoo.com)

Forward my mail to him,then ask him to send the cheque to you and provide
for
him the following information,Your full name,You home address and your
telephone number.

Take good care of your self.

Regards,
William Kachi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam