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:
  • "million 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Peter John" <peterjohn774@internetavous.com>
Reply-To: peterjohn774@gawab.com
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:22:36 +0100
Subject: From Barrister Peter John


>From Barrister Peter John

I am a Barrister and a member of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). Your
contact reached me through the
World Business Encyclopaedia and my insistence on you.
Hence, I made up my mind to introduce this business to you in
confidence for the mutual benefit of both of
us. The sum of USD45M (Forty Five Million United States Dollars) was
lodged into one of the leading
private Banks here in the Country by the late Head of State (GEN.SANI
ABACHA) this money was lodged in a
DEFACED FORM and in vaults / boxes.

The money was originally meant to be used for his political campaign.
Because I was his family Attorney
as such he confided in me with the relevant document papers relating
to this Bank. Who died as a result of cardiac arrest.
As a matter of fact, I have adequately agreed with some of the key
officers of the private Bank to
negotiate with you a trustworthy person to provide an account where
this moneycould be transferred to your
country through your Bank account, because we cannot claim the money
here in Nigeria. We have concluded all
arrangement with an offshore Security Company to move this money
through diplomatic means to a country where it
could be directly transferred to your nominated account to ensure
absolute safety and risk-free transfer of the money. After a
successful transfer, 30% will be for you for your assistance, 5% for
general expenses, and 65% for us. You are required to
send by e-mail immediately your Telephone and Fax numbers and Bank
particulars where this money will be
lodged and your personal contact address.

Once you notify me your willingness by sending the above requirement.
This transaction will be concluded within 10 (ten) working
days.

I will be waiting for your urgent reply.

Best regards,

Barr, peter John (SAN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam