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:
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • ibrahimtaru@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR IBRAHIM TARU" <mat2003@myway.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 19:21:41 +0400
Subject: HELP ME TO INVEST

Good Day To You

I am so sorry for sending you this unsolicited and unexpected mail,i
got your contact email address in confidence through a directory when i was searching for a reliable person who can help me make this transaction a success. However, my inner consciousness assured me of your reliability and trustworthiness. my name is Mr. Ibrahim Taru from Liberia writing you now from Middle East were i had ran for safety.
There is this amount of Nine Million Five hundred thousand US Dollars
($9.500.000.00)
which my father wanted to use for his political ambition before he was assassinated by rebels, Now I have decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside Liberia my country .I will like to invest part of the money into these three investment in your Country;
1) Real estate
2) The transport industry
3) Five star hotel.
But if there is any other business that is better than what I am suggesting I will be very glad to follow your advice, If you can be of an assistance to me I will be pleased to offer to you 20% Of the total fund while the balance will be invested by you. Please upon the acceptance of this mail message, send to me the following to enable us start immediately,
1. Your Full Name.
2. Your House Address.
3. Your Phone Number and Fax,
Thank You And Allah Bless You.
Please contact me with my alternative email address (ibrahimtaru@yahoo.com)
I await your soonest response.
Respectfully yours,
Ibrahim Taru

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam