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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Frank Richard " <frankrichard1@me.by>
Reply-To: maurice.williams@live.com
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:14:15 -0700
Subject: CONTACT HIM NOW


Dear Friend

It is my pleasure to reach you after our unsuccessful attempt on our
business transaction. Well I just want to use this medium to thank you very
much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the funds without
any positive outcome.

I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with
the help of a new partner from Paraguay Mr Fernando Alvaro Gomez, Everything
was perfectly done,because we strike a deal with one of the Lady Accountant
who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (F.M.F) and she rendered a
tremendous help to us My new partner initiated this idea and everything
worked out successfully.


In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the funds I
have decided to compensate you with the sum of $850,000,00. Eight Hundred
and fifty Thousand United States Dollars in a Cashier's cheque. This is from
my own share I did this simply to show appreciation to you for your kind
support and assistance even though we could not succeed due to some
unforseen circumstances and reason.


Presently I am in Paraguay for investment project with my own share under
the advice of my partner Meanwhile I didn't forget your past efforts and
attempts to assist me in transferring this funds despite the fact that we
could not succeed. I will be sending you e-mail from time to time to know if
you have received your share or not.


In the light of the above you are therefore to contact my lawyer Barrister
Maurice William and do send him your contact address where you want the
cheque to be sent to you, His e-mail address is

maurice.williams@live.com

Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
joy together after all the suffering at that time.


In the moment I am very busy here in Asuncion the capital city of Paraguay
because of the investment projects which the new partner and I are having at
hand So feel free to get in touch with him to send the cheque to you without
any delay.


With My Best Regards
Frank Richard

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam