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:
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
• 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.
  • +22997046880 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • gtscouriercompany@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: <tonydevis01@d1g.com>
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:51:50 +0300
Subject: Contact GTS Courier Company For Your Package Delivery




Hello Dear,

I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.but the manager of Eko
Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it will
expire.So i told him to cash $850,000.00 all the necessary arrangement
of delivering the $850,000.00 in cash was made with GTS Courier
Company. This in the information they need to delivery your package
to you.

ATTN: Proff. Michael Obi
TEl: +229 970 46 880
EMAIL: gtscouriercompany@yahoo.com.hk [1]

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what
they need from you.

I also want to remained you that $3000.00 was deducted from the
total sumand this amount includes the registration and the delivery
fee which is $500.00 and $2500.00 of the barrister that did thejob,
The only money you will send to the company to deliver your package
box direct to ourAddress in your country is $100 dollars for their
security keeping
fee,addressbelow.And
don't let them know the content to avoid delaying delivery ok.

1.YOUR FULL NAME:
2.YOUR COUNTRY:
3.YOUR HOME ADDRESS:
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE:
6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
7.COMPANY REGISTRATION NO BAX956253
8.CODE NMBER 62532562

Please make sure you send this needed infomation to the Director
generalof GTS Courier Company Ltd Proff Michael Obi with the address
given to you.

Note. The GTS Courier Company Ltd don't know the contents of the
Box.I registered it as a Box of an cloths.They don't know it contents
money.this is to avoid them delaying with the Box. don't let them know
that is money that is in that Box.I am waiting for your urgent
response.You can even call the Director of GTS Courier Company Ltd
with this line +22997046880

Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Tony Devis

Links:
------
[1] mailto:gtscouriercompany@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam