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:
  • "money transfer control number" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "payment for the courier" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +447011148952 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael" <courierex_europe@excite.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 07:27:19 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Description Of Parcel: CX registration no 3464353



Dear Customer, How are you doing? We are in possession of your winning check, this check will be delivered to you at your home address. You are to confirm you complete home and mailing address.
Description Of Parcel: CX registration no 3464353 An original certificate of weight....................0.35kgBank Cheque ...........................................0.17kgTotal weight of parcel ...............................0.52kgColour of parcel .....................................Brown
Delivery Service Price:
Courier Exchange Mail Airmail (Nextday): £550.00 (GBP); Dollar equivalent US$ 1,081.72 dollars
Global International Priority (Sameday): £750.00 (GBP); Dollar equivalent US$ 1,474.91 dollars.
You are to choose from the two delivery options.For urgent orders, choose International Priority Sameday delivery for just £365.00. This service will guarantee delivery on Monday to Friday dates (weekends and Bank Holidays inclusive). With International Priority Sameday delivery, you can also request next working day delivery.
Hence you are to proceed to the nearest Western Union money transfer center and effect payment for the courier of your package with CX registration no 3464353 in the name of our staff and money transfer receiving agent.
Receiving Agent Mrs Carol Smith
Manchester United Kingdom.After Sending the money you are to email the payment details as they appear on the Western Union payment slip:
1. Senders Name and Address2. Amount Sent3. Receivers Name4. Money Transfer Control Number(MTCN)5. Test question and answer, If any.
Please note that the majority of our orders are dispatched on a 'signed for delivery'. Please ensure that you are available to sign for your parcel on delivery. On receipt of your courier charges payment you will always be telephoned or emailed to give you an estimated despatch date of your order.
We guarantee your satisfaction. Please advise us within 3 days incase of any delay in your delivery for expedite action to be taken. Please note that on confirmation of the paid charges, you will be notified on the time and date of delivery.We are glad to be of service to you.
Michael GillsCustomer ServicesCourier Exchange Services LTD. UKCumberland House80 Scrubs LaneLondon NW10 6RFUnited Kingdom.Tel: +44-701-114-8952Fax: +44-701-114-8952


_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam