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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: figo_gome22007@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:39:58 -0500
Subject: {Spam?}

(SECRETARY OFFICE)
BP 1818 COCOTOMY ABEDMEY.
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.


Dear Friend,

I have been waiting for you to come down here to pick up your Bank Draft but i did not hear from you then i went and deposited the Draft with Fedex Courier company a known Courier Company here in Benin Republic and all over the world.

Meanwhile, you are to contact the Fedex Courier Company to know when they will deliver your package. I paid for the delivering charges so the only money you have to send to them now is their Security Keeping Fee of $110 to received your package. Below is the Director's Contact Informations.

Attn: Dr.Aminu Yayi
Address : BP 2005 Ste Ceceile Ave,
Cotonou Republic Du Benin.
TE L: (00229) 9786 1084
EMAIL: c_fedex_.express@live.fr

Try to contact them as soon as possible to avoid increas in the Security Keeping Fee. Finally, you have to reconfirm this information, Your complete Name, Current Phone Number and Current Residence Address to them again to avoid any mistake in the delivery. Let me know as soon as you receive your Draft.

Regards,

Mr. Frank Don
Secretary

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam