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:
  • "clearance certificate" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +22993726046 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • atmcenter2008@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: ebuka <rayumar36@anonymailpro.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:51:13 +0400
Subject: CONTACT ATM PAYMENY OFFICE



Attn: Dearest Friend,

Its my pleasure to inform you that i have deposited the consignment
box contains sum of 2.800.000.000 USD, with registering bank here in
Benin Rep being that Courier Company can not longer afford to deliver
the fund to you, with the help of the my boss lawyer, he advice the
Zenith Bank Atm Pament Center Cotonou Benin Republic to make the
payment to you with their new ATM MASTER CARD.

I have arranged with them to make your payment to you with their new
ATM MASTER CARD which you can use to withdraw your money in any ATM
MACHINE around the world. however, Kindly contact the below person who
is in position to release your ATM PAYMENT CARD contains total amount
of 2.800.000.000 united state dollars.
Zenith Bank Plc Atm Payment Center Benin Republic information.
Contact Person: REV  .MARK KELLY  , director general
Zenith Bank Atm Payment Center Benin Republic.
Adress: 52/53 new air state cotonou Benin R epublic

Phone:+229 93 72 60 46 

Email: (atmcenter2008@hotmail.com )

I have paid for the processing charges and Clearance Certificate
charges showing that it is not a Drug Money nor to sponsor Terrorist
attack in your Country. The only Money that your are going to pay to
them is only $178USD which they will use to open a new account that
they use to activate your fund into your ATM MASTER CREDIT CARD.
Then,I gave them your delivering address but you have to reconfirm it
to them again to avoid any mistake on the delivering and also try to
contact them as soon as possible today to quicken the processing of
your card. reconfirm your details full.
1. Full Name......
2. Address ......
3. Home & Office Calling Phone......
4. Copy OF Your Id .....
5. Country..........
6. Sex and Occupation........
7. Next of King
Thanks and Remain bless to your family,
BEST REGARD
 
DRray Uma

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam