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:
  • "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "abidjan" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "fsarahjohnson19 Gazeta.pl" <fsarahjohnson19@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: fsarahjohnson@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 17:19:57 +0000
Subject: Frank & Sarah Johnson.


C/O: Refugee camp-Abidjan
Republic Of Cote D'Ivoire

Dearest One,

Complement of the season.I am sorry if this mail will come to you as an
embarrassment or a surprise, I just felt like empting myself to you,to
confide in you, as we faced with total frustration and hardship. My Ernest
prayer is that you find this mail in good health and blessings.

My name is Frank and my younger sister Name Sarah Johnson, I am the first
Son of (Late Chief Adam Johnson) Who lost his life in the course of the
crisis here in Cote D'ivoire on the 7th of November last year on his way to
his office.

My late father was a cocoa machant.My father willed in cash, the sum of
$6.2 Million US Dollars which he deposited in a Fixed/Suspence account here
in Abidjan Cote D ivoire in west Africa, with enabling conditions for the
release of the fund which are as follows:

(1) That I must be 25 years or above.
(2) That upon request for the release of the fund, there must be evidence
of investment intentions especially outside the west africa,I contact you
therefore to confirm if you can absorb me and my junior Sister Sarah in
partnership in your company or possibly assist us on any investment
opportunity in your country.

When we reach agreement with you, the bank will release our fund into an
account that you shall nominate and you will arrange for us come over to
your country to commence business partnership with you and the fund and as
well complete our education.

All that we want is your sincere and genuine help in helping us to see that
this fund is transfered to your account in your country where you will also
help us invest this fund in a very good business as soon as its been
transfered to your account.

We cannot allow the money remain here,why,because of the war here which
possess a great risk to as our life and future solely lies on it. If you
have heard from the news for the past few months now there has been intense
fighting and bombing by the troops which we will like to live here as soon
as we have this money transfered out of this country.

We expect your urgent response including your addresses, your mobile
telephone and fax number.I wait to hear from you,thanks for expected
co-operation.
Our regards,

From Frank & Sarah Johnson.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam