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:
  • "good day friend" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "necessary legal documents" (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. )
  • "huge amount of money" (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 next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Stephen" <s_mckay1112@excite.com>
Reply-To: s_mckay1112@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:22:48 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: AWAITING YOUR CONSENT


Good day friend,Compliments. I confidently wish to indulge in a trustworthy and God fearing interest with you. Please my dear friend; I know this message has come to you as a big surprise because we have not met before. First of all let me introduce myself, I am Mr. stephen mckay, a solicitor at law, well there is nothing to worry about as we have been joined for a purpose if only you can assure me of your sincerity and transparency as I intend to carry out a neat and risk free deal which shall benefit both of us if we cooperate and put all hands on desk. Now, I am contacting you for a business deal that involves a huge amount of money belonging to one of my late foreign client unfortunately he died amongst his entire family in a plane crash. Site of crash: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stmFollowing the above incident, I have sought his extended family relatives through his Embassy but all to no avail Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives,
I now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin Of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the Proceeds of this account valued at GBP 8.5 Million Pounds Sterling can be paid to you, subsequently to be shared among us If you agree, we can discuss your percentage. I have all necessary Legal documents that can be used to back up anyclaim we may make.I will release the full information to you as soon as you indicate your full interest and committment by sending to me your full contact information as well as your telephone number and feel free to conatct me via my private email:s_mckay1112@yahoo.comPlease note your urgent response will be highly appreciated as this will enable me know the next line of action.Bless you.Mr. stephen Mckay AWAITING YOUR CONSENT........

_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!



--

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam