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)
  • "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "lagos" (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.
  
• 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.
  • +2348032167866 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: jimmy tambo <jimmytambo0001@msn.com>
Reply-To: <jimmytambo@web2mail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:37:19 +0000
Subject: Permission to remit US$12 Million into your company or private
account



From: Dr Jimmy Tambo
NNPC Falomo Office Complex
P.m.b.2701 Lagos-Nigeria
Phone: 234-8032167866

Dear Friend,

Permission to remit US$12 Million into your company or private account by
telegraphic transfer for safekeeping pending my arrival for the
sharing with you as the account owner into which the money is remitted.

I am Dr Jimmy Tambo, chairman tender board committee with the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), our duties include evaluation
and awards of contract. This money originated from over-invoiced
contract executed for the corporation some years back.

You will be entitled to 20% of this money after the transaction, while
80% will be me. Every arrangement towards the successful completion of
this transaction has been concluded. In the light of this, I would like
you to forward to me the following information's:

[1] Your name in full
[2] Residential address
[3] Date of birth(Age)
[4] Occupation
[5] Contact telephone number

The above information will enable me secure the required document to
back up the fund and apply for payment into your account.

I await your urgent response.

Yours faithfully,
Dr Jimmy Tambo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam