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 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 "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS.MARIA.E. FERNANDEZ" <mariaudo13@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mariafn001@live.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 02:30:00 +0000
Subject: REPLY ME PLEASE



Dearest Beloved, Please read this slowly and carefully, as it may be one
of the most important emails you ever get. I am Mrs.
Maria Fernandez. I was married to Late Joseph Fernandez
from Philipines. The Director of Veekrol Oil services
Spain, a seasoned contractor in Europe Region. He died on
Monday, 31 July 2003 in Paris. We were married for seven years without a child. After
his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child
outside my matrimonial home. When my late husband was alive, he deposited the sum of
$12.2mUSD[Twelve Million,Two Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars only in a Security company, which is now
wasting there. My Doctor told me that I would not last
long due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to better the lives of the
less privileged. I need honest and trust worthy
individual that will utilize this money in accordance
with my instruction. I want the funds to be used in
funding charity organizations, orphanages and the less
privileged. I took this decision because I don't have any child that
will inherit this money and my husband relatives are very
unkind to me and I don't want my husbands hard earned
money to be misused. I am not afraid of death hence I
know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in
the bosom of the Lord. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the
contact of the Security company and my attorney. For
legitimacy, he will also issue you a letter of authority
that will empower you as the original- beneficiary of
this fund. I want you to always pray for me, any delay in
your reply will give me room in sourcing for another
individual for this same purpose. If you are not
interested, kindly pardon me for contacting you through
this medium. Thanks, Yours sincerely, Mrs.Maria Fernandez.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam