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:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
• 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!
• 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.
  • +27834294878 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "danny" <danny_jordan@myway.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:12:42 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: A delay will be very dangerous.


Dear Winner Mr. Frau Frank,
Thank you for your mail letter. Like I have told you on my previous mail to you that I know that you would be surprised, but be rest assured that you have won through our online ballot lottery that was selected through out the world. I guess the bird you saw should be a blessing to you as I will want you to ack quickly concerning the transfer of your winning fund with our paying bank.
Please send the required and needed information's which was asked from you on our second mail reply to you. As soon as we receive your mail with the needed info we will prepare and send your winning certificate to you.
We hope to receive your earliest responds with your private mobile phone number.
Thanks as we wait for your co-operation and phone call today.
Mr. Danny Jordan.
Your Claims Agent.
+27-83-429-4878.
(Prestigious Lottery Department)

_______________________________________________
No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.
Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam