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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • johnsonbob02@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: JOHNSON BOB <johnsonbob02@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: johnsonbob77@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 13:56:46 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GET BACK TO ME PLEASE


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: johnsonbob02@yahoo.com



- Dear Sir,I am Johnson Bob working with a security company in Africa as the operation manager. It is true that we do not know each other but I assure you that after this profitable financial business with you we shall become the best of friends in life.After the terrorist attack on September 11th 2001 it was discovered that one of our customers Mr. Brown Roy an American Business merchant was involved in the bomb blast incident. Before his death he deposited a consignment (money) worth of US $38,000,000.00 (Thirty-Eight million Dollars) in our company. Since we discovered his death several attempts has be made to get his next of kin or any member of his family to make claims of the consignment but all effort proved abortive as the demurrage of the consignment has been increasing on daily basis.The board of directors and management of the security company suppose to have met at the end of the year annual meeting of September 2007 to discuss on the ghost consignment but have shifted the meeting till December 2007 this year to give the concerned more time on the claiming of their consignments (money).if no body is coming forward to make claim to this consignments the company will now inherit it as a left over money. On this view, I and my colleague in this branch of the company have decided to seek for your assistance to come forward and receive the consignment as late Mr. Roy’s next of kin on our behalf since we cannot make this claim as members and the staffs of the Security Company.If you are interested to participate in this risk free and easy business we shall provide you with every necessary document that will back you up as late Mr. Roy’s next of kin. While you easily come down here and receive the consignment.We have promise to give you 30% of the total money at the end of the business 5% will be set aside for any expenses while the remaining 65% will be for me and my colleague and we shall solidly be by your side till the end of the transaction.I want you to consider this business as an urgent matter and a secret business always. Please you are advice to reply immediately and include your telephone and fax numbers with your company’s postal address to enable me to obtain the necessary documents and send it to you. More detail information will be given to you as soon as you reply this letter.Thanking you for your concern and understanding.You’re faithfully,Mr.Johnson Bob

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam