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:
  • "clearance certificate" (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 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)
  • "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)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +447006035545 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: james manny <vjames12@msn.com>
Reply-To: <jamesmanny1@drivehq.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:15:05 +0000
Subject: atm



Attn: The beneficiary, I am Mr. James Manny, from Citi Bank Group London,This is to bring to your notice that my office hastaking over all the money Transaction originated fromany part of African and Europe countries as Contractpayment, Fund Inheritance or Lottery Winning due toUnauthorized/incapability of financialInstitutions/security companies in releasing such hugesum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money laundryactivities going on worldwide.The World Bank Group has Mandated the Citi Bank GroupLondon via my office to release funds to beneficiariesthrough ATM CARD, Hence Your Name appears as one of the fundbeneficiaries whom their fund was Successfully clearedrecently from Terrorist and Money laundry and yourmoney will be released to you Through ATM CARD,that will be usable from any ATM Machine inyour country been the only way you would receive yourmoney to avoid paying excess charges, As regard tothis arrangement, you are advised to get back to me (telex director)through Fax no: +447006035545 Tel no:+447024046534 or my personal email address(jamesmanny1@drivehq.com) but it is better by fax.You are therefore advised to forward your
direct telephone numbers, your complete name and address for immediate release of your
money.Be aware that the amount due for you for now is TwoMillion United States Dollars Only (US2, 000,000.00).Be also informed that the Fund Approvals andauthorization document Including Anti-terroristClearance Certificate was issued in your name and has been handed over to our office to releaseto you through our official fast courier company,therefore be aware that your fund has obtained all herclearance to be released to you. Thanks for Your Cooperation. RegardsMr. James Manny(Telex Director Citi Bank Group London.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam