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)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Rosemary Sarami Johnson" <rssarami06@netscape.net>
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 16:26:42 +0200
Subject: Mrs. Rosemary Sarami Johnson


Dear Friend,

My name is Mrs. Rosemary Sarami Johnson a south African citizen I got your Contact through a personal research. I am the Senior Sister to Mr.Tony Yengeni.

Mr Yengeni was the chairman of parliament's in south Africa and the former chief whip of the ruling political party ANC. My Brother (MR. T. YENGENI), has as a result of trust and Confidence he has mandated that I search for a Reliable and trustworthy foreign partner, who Will help receive some funds, which was deposited in a Security Company in Europe Totalling US$11.800,000.00 ( Eleven Million,Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) into a personal, company or any reliable foreign bank account for safe keeping for a Short period of time, since our family bank accounts Within and outside the country have all been Frozen by the authorities. I would refer you to these Website for further information :-http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2756861.stm

However the money is presently in the custody of a security company in Europe I hope you are trustworthy and will not sit on the money when you receive it. The total sum will be shared as follows: 40% for you , 55% For my family , and then the remaining 5% will be used for the reimbursement of all the expenses we will incurre in the process of this transaction where you will take delivery of the funds,

There is no risk involved what so ever on this transaction, these funds will be received in your favor upon proper application. If you are interested in this business, please urgently contact me on these private and confidential e-mail address.Please endeavor to keep this business confidential.I will be most grateful if you can come forward and help me so that I will give you more details.

waiting your urgent reply.

Yours Sincerely

Mrs. Rosemary Sarami Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam