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:
  • "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)
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +447031943199 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +447005980586 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • j_reese1027@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "mark dowellsmicrosoft" <markdowells@mswukpromo.net>
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 07:37:21 +0000
Subject: PAYMENT OPTIONS

MANAGER, INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE
AWARD DEPARTMENT MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT
LOTTERY, UNITED KINGDOM.
89 New Fetter Lane London, EC4A 1AG U.K
MR. TINZO PAOLO
PHONE #:+44 7031943199, +44 7031844897
FAX#: +44 7005980586

Dear j_reese1027@yahoo.com

  Thanks for the mail we got your details now you are through with step one of claiming your winnings, you are to proceed.

 Basically, there are three options for you to get your prize/money, you are to choose one. The three options include the Bank, Travel to Spain and the courier firm. The bank is reliable for both bank SWIFT wire transfer, diplomatic bank transfer and inters bank transfer while the courier firm is to courier the winning cheque to you or your local bank any where you wish to have your cheque.

 These three options has been the best reliable ways of getting won prizes to our winners, mostly  international winners who can not make their ways to our cash presentation financial house in  Spain where winners are been paid in cash. Below are the options please, do not choose more than one, just choose one out  of these options. Be aware that you will be responsible for any further charges to be paid to claim your prize. These charges are quiet high due to the insurance taken to secure these winnings as it is not a small Prize.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
________________

(1) A: BANK SWIFT WIRE TRANSFER
    B: INTER- BANK TRANSFER
    C: BANK DIPLOMATIC TRANSFER

(2): TRAVEL TO OUR OFFSHORE PAYMENT CENTER IN SPAIN WHERE YOU WILL BE PAID FULL IN CASH.

(3): BY OUR COURIER FIRM, WHERE THEY WILL COURIER YOUR WINNING CHEQUE TO YOU OR ANY ADDRESS YOU  WISH TO HAVE YOUR CHEQUE COURIERED TO  DIRECTLY TO YOUR LOCAL BANK OR YOUR HOUSE. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO ALSO CHOOSE ONE OF THIS.

PROCEEDURES:
____________

(1): This Bank is reliable and has been one of our major sponsors. They are fast in any form of transfer with the minimum of three days and maximum of five days your funds will appear straight in your designated account. Despite the fact that their minimum activation (Deposit) fee is quiet High I assure you they are reliable. You will only pay into your new account the minimum of £1,500 GB pounds choose by you before transfer. This money remains in your account and can still be transferred to you along with your Prize/money. You can retain this account if you wish to.

  First, you will be asked to choose an account (1. Regular Account. 2.  Daily Account 3. Premium Account. 4. Platinum Account). Each of this accounts have their different functions. You will also have to activate one this account that you are capable of. By activation you will be asked to make an initial deposit into this new account before transfer that is all.

(2): Travel to our offshore payment center in Spain, where you will be paid in full cash. The only charges involve is that you must have to go there with some money to settle tax and other charges; this will not be more than 3,000 GB pounds.

(3): The use of our courier firm, this option is often preferred by most winners. Where your prize/money will be couriered directly to you or your local bank any where you want it. The courier charge is normal with little insurance and administrative charges added. You are to make sure the address of where you want your prize/money couriered to. Be correct with no mistakes. They do not deliver parcels to P.O.BOX they do not allow the use of credit cards this is for security reason. This courier charges are between the ranges of £450 GB Pounds to £650 GB Pounds. No matter where you are located in the World.

 Be aware that nobody is allowed to neither touch nor deduct from your prize/money as it has been insured in your name and to it actual value.

 You are to choose one out of the three pre-requisite of transfer of the aforementioned options or procedures of transfer of your entitled winnings to you. In your next mail you are expected to indicate to us your preferred choice of transfer. You are allowed to reach the Director for further explanations on phone.

 I hope to hear from you soon, for now remain Blessed and do have a nice day.

Regards,
Mr. Mark Dowells.

 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam