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:
  • "million us 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • barrister_mmadu00@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: michezeocha14@sify.com
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:18:08 +0600 (IST)
Subject: Dearest Friend,


Dearest Friend,

I am Mr Micheal Ezeocha, I just got your contact on my personal search for a person i am willing my money to. I was mistakenly injected with the injection that they used on a HIV AIDS patient, That was how i contacted this strange illness two years ago. I have willed the sum of $1 MILLION US DOLLARS to you, That is the only money left in my account now. Pls contact my lawyer with his email address(barrister_mmadu00@yahoo.co.uk) his name is Mr Madu Kinsley, he will help you and also transfer this money to you immediately. Pls be serrios and make sure that this money is being transfered to you. cos i have few days to live as the doctor said and always pray for me as you receive this email. God Bless you.

Mr Micheal Ezeocha.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam