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:
  • "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
  • "abidjan" (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: virginie stella <virg_stella@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2006 15:00:53 +0100 (CET)
Subject: From Mrs Virginia


FROM MRS VIRGINIA DURU REMISSANTHE

Dear,

I know my message will come to you as a surprise.Don't worry, I am
totaly convinced to write you in reference of the transfer of US $ 12.5m
Twelve point five million US Dollars) to your account for onward
profitable investment (Import and Export Business) in your country.
I am Mrs VIRGINIA DURU REMISSANTHE , the wife of the former rebel
leader in Haiti, late general RAVIX REMISSANTHE of HAITI. My late husband
was killed just on april this year 2005 following his role as a rebel
leader against the past government of president Jean Bertrand Aristide of Haiti.

Following this political crisis, we were forced to leave our country by
sudden to Abidjan the capital city of Cote d'Ivoire for our life sake. It
is here in Abidjan my late husband before his death lodged this sum of
money ($12.5 m) ina security company as African Artworks / family valuables belonging to his foreign partner, awaiting export.

Now, I want you to stand as my late husbands foreign partner, I plead to
use your name for the release of the consignments from the security
company as my late husband's business partner. Remember to keep this
transaction secret. Immediately you show your interest on this, other
information will be given to you.

Thanking you.
Yours Sincerely

MRS VIRGINIA DURU




---------------------------------
Nouveau : téléphonez moins cher avec Yahoo! Messenger. Appelez le monde entier à partir de 0,012 €/minute ! Téléchargez la version beta.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam