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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "certified bank draft" (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • 2347057211214
• 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.
  • mredwinbrown@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "african express" <africanlogistics@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 07:01:19 -0700
Subject: CONTACT MR BROWN


Dear Friend,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this
mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am using this opportunity to thank
you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your
account due to one reason or the other best known to you.



But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the Cheque
out of the company to someone else who was capable of assisting me in this
great venture.Due to your effort, sincerity,courage and trust worthiness you
showed at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my
gratitude to you with the sum of $250,000.00

(two hundred Fifty thousand united states Dollars)in addition to your
lottery winnings of $500 thousand now amounting to $750,000.00(seven hundred
and fifty thousand United States Dollars).



I have authorized the finance house where I deposited my money to issue you
international certified bank draft cash able at your bank. My dear friend I
will like you to contact the finance house for the collection of

this international certified bank draft. The name and contact address of the
Person with your Cheque MR EDWIN BROWN. is as follows.



COMPENSATION HEAD OFFICER

CONTACT AGENT MR EDWIN BROWN.

EMAIL: mredwinbrown@gmail.com

CONTACT PHONE:234-705-721-1214



At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects which
myself and my new partner are having at hand. Finally, remember that I have
forwarded instruction to the finance house on your behalf to send the bank
draft to you as soon as you contact them without delay.Please I will like
you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my
heart.



Thanks and God bless you and your family.Hope to hear from you soon.



Best Regards,




Mr. Frank Alex.



N;B So sorry for have contacted you for so long it was due to the fact that
i was responding to medical treatment i went for surgery and ever since I
came back I couldn't locate you until i finally made it.That was why I am
contacting you back to inform you that I finally made it as a result of this
I had to compensate you with this offer.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam