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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "here in london united kingdom" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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 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.
  • lohong34@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "lo chi hong" <lochi43@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:02:34 +0800
Subject: INVITATION TO ACT AS NEXT OF KIN

Mr Lo Chi-hong

Tel: [44] 7024065078

Email:lohong34@yahoo.com.hk

Date:Dec-7–2006.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Reed

My name is Lo Chi-hong,, a native of Aberdeen, Hong Kong, and a senior
employee of Hong Kong Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources currently
here in London united kingdom, on a course. I am writing this letter to
solicit your co-operation in order to redeem an investment interest
currently held under trust with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
of Hong Kong. The said investment now valued at US$21.5M (Twenty One
Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), was originally
purchased by one Mr James Reed, and leased to the Hong Kong Mining
Department.


Since the maturity of this contract in September 2004, several attempts have
been made without success to contact Mr James Reed, or any of his close
relatives. My partner who is the Account's Director in the same Ministry,
and two other colleagues, have initiated the process of filing a claim for
this money, with the hope of having the funds transferred to North America.
Since you have the same last name as the original investor, my partners will
file a claim for this money from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral
Resources, indicating that you were appointed by Mr Reed, to be the
beneficiary of this fund. When the claim is approved, you as the beneficiary
will be paid the sum of US$21.5M (Twenty One Million, Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars) The money will be paid directly to any bank of your
choice.

You have the responsibility to ensure that my partners and I receive 60% of
the money while you keep the remaining 30% for your assistance, the
remaining 10% will be for any incidental expenses. I want to assure you that
my partners are in a position to make the payment of this claim possible,
provided you can give us very strong guarantee that our share will be
secured, and that you will not take advantage of our position. Be assured
that there is absolutely nothing to worry about in view of this claim.


It is perfectly safe with no risk involved, and it is not subject to any
inquiry, since my partners will be handling the claim directly in Hong Kong
on your behalf. I do hope my proposal is acceptable to you. Please
acknowledge the receipt of this letter, so that I can provide you with more
clarification about the claim and how we intend to make this deal beneficial
to everyone involved. Please reach me at the confidential e-mail or
telephone number, provided above.

Sincerely yours,

MR Lo Chi-hong

_________________________________________________________________
No masks required! Use MSN Messenger to chat with friends and family.
http://go.msnserver.com/HK/25382.asp


--

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam