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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Alfred Kossi <alkossi20@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <a.kossibgh@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:59:07 +0000
Subject: RE



Mr. Alfred KossiBank of GhanaAccra-GhanaSir, I should appreciate your surprise while receiving this letter. In any case, I am left with no option but to contact you in this manner. My decision to write to you was informed by knowledge that being established personally that you could be disposed to be part of this. If you don't want this business offer kindly forget it as I will not contact you again. I am Mr. Alfred Kossi Head Banking Operations, Bank of Ghana. Accra Ghana. During the airlift of some presidential luggage to Europe on conclusion of the 50th Independent anniversary of my country early this year I and the head of cargo department of my bank unanimously decided to include additional luggage containing US$8m (Eight Million United States Dollars) only for our own benefit though it was labeled "Photographic Equipment" for security reasons. I am obliged to contact you to assist us on getting the luggage cleared from the agent and delivered to you. As we have agreed on the following terms. (1) All relevant documents to claim the luggage will be procure in your name to enable the agent deliver the luggage to your mailing address.(2) You will be entitled to a share of 30% of the total amount. (3) 70% of the total amount will be for my colleagues and I. If this business terms and conditions are ok by you, kindly contact me on this mail address, also, furnish me with your full names, mailing address and your personal telephone / fax numbers, for easier communication for immediate forwarding to the agent in Europe. Yours Faithfully,Mr. Alfred Kossi
_________________________________________________________________
Make every IM count. Download Windows Live Messenger and join the i’m Initiative now. It’s free. 
http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGWL_June07

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam