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:
  • "huge amount of money" (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.
  
• 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.
  • +23417652322 (Nigeria, landline)
  • +2348084300605 (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.
  • rickmason93@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "RICK MASON" <rickmason93@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 06:50:09 +0100
Subject: NEW POLICY


OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Debt Reconciliation Committee


ATTN:--BENEFICIARY,

I am Dr Mrs. Dora Olumide Oyo, the Finance Director on Debt Reconciliation
Committee of the office of the President. I have been directed by His
Excellency, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Umaru Musa
Yar'Adua) to inform you that this Government understands your plight, the
huge amount of money you have spent and all the disappointment you have
suffered in the past to get your contract / inheritance fund paid to you.
Due to what we describe as selective payment and incessant demand of
excessive fees by some unscrupulous and corrupt erstwhile officials in
charge of the foreign contract payment in the past
This morning I received a Presidential released order Stamped and Signed by
the president to pay your PART-PAYMENT of USD 4.2 MILLION PLUS ACCRUED
INTEREST OF USD 3.5 MILLION BY MEANS OF AN ATM GLOBAL DEBIT CARD
To speedy up this arrangement, the government has nominated EQUITORIAL TRUST
BANK to set-up an automated transit account and to issue an ATM GLOBAL
DEBIT CARD valued USD 7.7 million in your name. This will enable you to have
control over your fund. PLEASE NOTE, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT YOU CAN WITHDRAW
WITH YOUR ATM CARD PER DAY IS $19,500.00 (Nineteen Thousand Five Hundred
United States of American Dollars)

You are therefore advised to immediately contact the Director, ATM
department of the bank Mr. Rick Mason, via E-mail: rickmason93@gmail.com
tel; 234 1 765 2322 OR 234 8084 300 605 for the delivery of your ATM GLOBAL
DEBIT CARD valued USD 7.7 million.
The Federal Government of Nigeria shall not be held responsible for any
diversionary tendencies that may occur in your payment if you fail to adhere
strictly to this directive. You are therefore advised to immediately
contact the Director, ATM department of the bank Mr. Rick Mason, via E-mail:
rickmason93@gmail.com tel; 234 1 765 2322 OR 234 8084 300 605, for
verification purpose please send him the following information as listed
below:
1. Full name
2. Phone and fax number
3. Address where you want them to send the ATM card to
(p.o box not acceptable)
4.Your age and current occupation
5. Attach copy of your identification


Sir, on behalf of this Democratic Government of Nigeria, I apologies for any
delay you might have encountered in receiving your fund in the past.

Yours Faithfully
Dr Mrs. Dora Olumide Oyo
Finance Director, Debt Reconciliation Committee

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam