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:
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +2348063701380 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: william ibru <willyibru16@yahoo.dk>
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 15:40:18 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: THANKS .... YOUR URGENT REPLY ....


Atten : Edlin Friedst
Tel : +49-172-969-4832
Fax : +49-174-937-1267


Dear Edlin ,

Thanks for your email received forwarding the requested information. Be informed that I have commenced on the processing of the inheritance claim in your favour.

I will forward your contact details to the Bank - TRANS INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC for approval of this inheritance claim of US$7,500,000.00 (Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) in your favour as they requested and you should pray that I have a successful discussion with the Trans International Bank Plc and on my own side, I am 100% sure that the discussion will be a success as the documents are authentic.

Please, this transaction requires your honest co-operation and confidentiality as I have worked very hard to achieve this transaction and I will really appreciate if you will be honest with me through out this transaction.

I use this opportunity to thank you for your interest in this transaction and I look forward to meeting with you in your country as soon as we conclude the transaction.

This is my direct line :234-806-370-1380
This is my office line :234- 42- 315- 008

With best regards,
Barr William Ibru

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam