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:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "certified bank draft" (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. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +2348035740659 (Nigeria, 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.
  • nelsonbrownvp@mighty.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Obafemi Micheal" <goodmanpr9@mailbox.hu>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:00:21 -0700
Subject: Urgent Information:


Urgent Information:

We Apologize, for the delay of your payment and all the Inconveniences
and Inflict that we might have indulge you through. However,
we were having some minor problems with our payment system, which
is Inexplicable, and have held us stranded and Indolent, not having
the Aspiration to devote our 100% Assiduity in accrediting
foreign payments.

We apologise once again from the Records of outstanding winners due for
payment with {ONLINE CYBER PROMOTION} your name and particular was
discovered as next on the list of the outstanding winners who
have not yet received their payments.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and
can be voguish for that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that
from the record in our file, your outstanding winning payment is US$2
million (Two Million U.S. Dollars).

Be inform that Payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft or
wire transfer into a nominated bank account of your choice, as soon as
you get in touched with the Debt Reconciliation agent below.

=======================================

Mr. Nelson Brown
Manager Remittance Department
Government Accredited Licensed Claim Agent.
Information and Payment Bureau.
Europe Representative Office in Nigeria.
Tel: +234-803 5740659
E-mail:- nelsonbrownvp@mighty.co.za

=======================================

Provide him with the following details, as this will enable him to
process and release of your cash prize with out any delay.
Your Full Name:..........................
Telephone or fax Numbers:...............
Residential Address:.....................
State and Country:.......................
Occupation:..............................
Age:.....................................

Your urgent reply to Mr. Nelson Brown via e-mail will speedy release
of your cash prize to you within 48hours.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr.Micheal Obafemi
Online Cyber
Promotion Information Department

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam