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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "lagos" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "AKILO ADAMU" <akiloadamu1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: akiloadamu-ubn@compaqnet.fr
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 14:50:11 +0000
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU





Hello ,

I am Mr Akilo Adamu, The Assistant Director foreign remittance dept with
the {UNION BANK OF NIGERIAN PLC LAGOS}.

I have a transaction which I think will be of mutual benefit to both of
us.In my desire for a foreign partner with whom to do this transaction, I
stumbled on your contact from your countrys chamber of commerce.

As the head of foreign remittance/Accounts Departments of UBN, I
discovered some amount of money while I was auditing accounts for the 2006
financial year which has been lying there for four years. On further
enquiry, I discovered that this money totalling about US$15million
(Fifteen Million United States Dollars Only) including accumulated
interest belonged to one Mr.Dario Gaski, a Portugees citizen who lived and
died without any beneficiary.

I have successfully secured the money and with the assistance of my
colleagues, the money has been packaged as photographic materials ready
for shipment abroad. It may be lodge in a security company in Europe of
which I want you to stand as the beneficiary or next of kin to the fund.

I will need your particulars to enable me prepare documents on your favour
which will authenticate that the consignment belongs to you and to enable
you claim the money,I want to be assured of a safe account where the money
will be deposited pending my arrival.

This transaction is risk free with no legal complications. I have made all
necessary arrangement for a successful transaction. I will direct you on
where the money is deposited when i hear from you.

Please i need your telephone and fax number and your contact address for
easy communication.You can reach me through this E-mail
address:(akiloadamu-ubn@compaqnet.fr) Your urgent response is needed.

Best regards

Mr Akilo Adamu.
Director Foreign Unit {UNION BANK PLC}

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam