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:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: "ADRAIN THOMAS" <claimagent22@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:27:27 +0200
Subject: YOUR WINNING CERTIFICATE IS NEEDED.

Dear Gerrell Schroelich,

Your mail was received and we are suprised at your words taking into
consideration that we have fully explained the situation to you.

It might interest you to note that all arrangments have been concluded
towards the transfer of your winning amount as we explained to you before. I
am okay with my Job here and i have nothing to do with your money , i am
only working according the laid down regulations.

What will i profit if i run away with your money which is a little amount
taking into consideration my personality, my Job is more important to me
than your money and i will never think of running away with it. Your file is
currently on my desk and we will commence procedure once we receive
evidence of the stated payment.

I have tried all my possible best to see that i explain everything to you
but you seems not to understand the situation and the mode of our operation.
Your fund have been marked for immediate transfer but we cannot give the
bank instructions to transfer your fund because they are demanding for the
lotto winning certificate which will declare the fund free of any illegal
transfer.

I am a family man with my job which i am satisfied with and i have nothing
to do with your POUNDS 550 . My duty is to ensure that all winners get their
money succesfully and that is exactly what i am doing.

I do not know any other details that you will like my office to offer you
but i will advise that you make haste in all that you are doing so that you
will receive your money within the stipulated time limit because you are
quite aware that any unclaimed fund will be returned to be used for next
year stake.

What i will advise is that you try as much as possible to send the money to
enable me procure and issue the certificate to the authorities involved and
instruct them to transfer your fund ASAP.

My dear without this winning certificate our will not transfer your winning
to you so i will like you you to send fee so that we can get your winning
certificate for you.

Please do inform us once the money is sent to enable us expedite actions on
your transfer. We will inform you once we receive the money and we will
issue you a receipt covering the fund. You have nothing to be afraid of as
my office is working according the laid down regulations and instructions
regarding the lottery winning act.

If you want a cheque our paying bank can issue you a cheque but before they
that they want to see your winning certificate first.I try to call you but
your phone is going can you give your mobile number so that i will contact
on phone.

Congratulatins Once Again.
May God bless you

Mr Adrian Thomas.
CLAIM AGENT

_________________________________________________________________
Download the latest version of Windows Live Messenger NOW!
http://get.live.com/en-za/messenger/overview

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam