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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "million 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.
  • abdulesther57@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Abdul Esther" <abdulesther4@legwork.com.ng>
Reply-To: abdulesther57@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 21:40:02 +0800
Subject: My Dear Can I Trust You


Mrs Abdul Esther,
Demark Lout Street,
93050 Kuching,
Sarawak,Malaysia


Beloved Friend,


I am writing this mail to you with heavy tears In my eyes and great sorrow
in my heart because my Doctor told me that I will die in three months time.
Base on this development I want to will my money which is deposited in a
security company I am in search of a reliable person who will use the Money
to build charity organization for the saints and the person will take 20% of
the total sum. While 80% of the money will go to charity organization and
helpingthe orphanage. I grew up as an Orphan and i dont have anybody/family
member to take care of my wealth. The total money in question is $3.5million
dollars. I will provide you with other information's once you indicate your
willingness.



Please contact me on my personal email on abdulesther57@yahoo.com


Yours sincerely.
Mrs Abdul Esther.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam