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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348034170264 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "=?utf-8?q?Mr.Richard=20Mark?=" <wumtoffice38@yahoo.com.co>
Reply-To: wumtoffice406@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:38:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RE-CONFIRM YOUR DETAILS FOR URGENT PAYMENT


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:wumtoffice38@yahoo.com.co



- Attn:Customer,Following just the email sent to this Western Union Office through the(IMF OFFICE) and Note, an Order has passed from the President (YAR'ADUA),for immediate payment of US$1.700,000.00 (One Million,Seven Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) was discused today to be paid and can only be paid through this Western Union Money Transfer Department of Nigeria. This is to help us check-mate all the Fraudlent activities going on here in Nigeria and Africa at large.Please be informed that this funds are coming directly from the International Monetary Funds headquarters and we are assign only to pay beneficiaries once they meet their financial obligations.We are sending you a scanned copy of your western union transfer slip for confirmation in respect of your approved first pay-out of $10,000 every 7 hour, this will enable you walk into any western union shop of your choice and pick up your unds.After a meeting that was held in the office of the Presidency in regards to this, we have agreed to pay you a total of US$10,000.00 in every Seven Hours (7 ) until the funds US$1.7 Million is completely paid as agreed in today's meeting.Below is the Money Control Number (MTCN): 7665438245.Amount: $10,000 USD MTCN NO: 7665438245 first name: MARK STEVENlast name: JAMESNote that this money We gave to you the details today was only investigated and approved to release through your Email Address, But does not bear your name as the receiver's We requested that you send to us your full receiving NAMES immediately for your payment confirmation. this is Only for the names of reciever to be activated to your own name through our officer incharge at the counter here in Nigeria and start receiving your money as advice to be paid to you Bit by Bit.Therefore advice you to re-confirm us your Full Name only to enable this office Change immediately and sign to your own name for easy collection and to enable you walk into any western union shop of your choice and pick up your funds.PLEASE do not bother going to pick up this Funds because you may be arrested as the does not bear your name as the receiver yet. (ADVICE)Therefore, we ADVICE you to email back immediately you recieve this message to enable us advice with more details of claim. Call me immediately on my direct phone +234-803-417-0264 for urgent directives and recieve your Funds. Sincerely,Richard Mark Western Union Payments

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam