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:
  • "money orders " (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. )
  • "money order " (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. )
  • "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 company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • susanbgalleryuk@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: Susan Barton <susanbgallery@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: susanbartongallery@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 18:01:47 -0700
Subject: Employment

The New 2 World Gallery.
susanbgalleryuk@yahoo.co.uk
OFFICE:269 Greenwich High Road,
London, SE10 8LF, UK

Hello,

Hope this email meets you well? I am an artist and I live in London United Kingdom, with my two kids, four cats, one dog and the love of my life my husband Paul Barton.

It is definitely a full house, I have been doing artwork since I was a kid that gives me about 23 years of experience I majored in art in high school and took a few college art courses most of my work is done in either pencil or art brush mixed with color pencils.

I have recently added designing and creating artwork on the computer, I have been selling my art for the last 3 years and have had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in magazines, I have sold in galleries and to private collectors from all around the world.

I am always facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling my artworks to Americans; they are always offering to pay with MONEY ORDER OR CASHEIR'S CHECK which is difficult for me to cash here in London.

I am looking for a representative in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA who will be working with me as a part time worker and I will be willing to pay 7-10% for every transaction, which wouldn’t affect your present state of work, someone who would help me receive payments from my customers in the states, I mean someone that is responsible and reliable, because the cost of coming to the state and getting payments is very expensive, long and tedious.

I am working on setting up a branch in the states, so for now I need a representative in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA who will be handling the payment aspect for our Gallery.

These payments are in MONEY ORDERS OR CASHER'S CHEQUE and they would come to you in your name if you are willing to assist as a representative, so all you need do is cash the money order deduct your percentage and WESTERN UNION Charges then wire the Balance back.



I thought you might be interested to be my partner. If you are interested, please get back to me as soon as possible via Email with:

NAME
ADDRESS
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER

Thanks for your assistant,
Susan Barton
The New 2 World Gallery,
London, United Kingdom.
Email:susanbgalleryuk@yahoo.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam