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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • davidliberty2000@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Mike Opara" <mopara1@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 20:14:42 +0100
Subject: Please Read this


Dear Friend,

*RE: REQUEST FOR URGENT CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP IN
RESPECT OF THE TRANSFER OF $25,500,000.00(TWENTY-FIVE MILLION
FIVE HUNDRED AMERICAN DOLLARS) INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.*

I, on behalf of my other colleagues in the Debt Management Board has the
above amount for transfer to a friendly account, we found out that some of
the debts we have been asked to settle are mere invoice that has no basis
for payment and this administration has mandated us to conclude all payment
on or before September, 2008.

We have the mandate of the federal government to scrutinize all payments to
foreign contractors, and we discovered that some of the contracts they
executed were grossly over inflated and some are non-existence.

We are therefore seeking your assistance based on the above amount
US$25.5M which can be speedily processed and fully remitted into your
nominated bank account. On successful remittance of the funds into your
account, you will be compensated with 20% of the amount for your
assistance and services.

This transaction is closely knitted and in view of our sensitive positions
we cannot afford a slip. I assure you that this transaction is 100% risk
free. We will avail you with our identities as regards our respective
office when relationship is fully established and smooth operation
commences. I am at your disposition to entertain any questions from you in
respect of this transaction, so, contact me immediately through the above
email address for further information on the requirements and procedure.
Please note that this is a DEAL and confidentiality is of very great
importance for security reasons. Already we have concluded arrangements to
have you paid from the Claims department of the Finance Ministry. Please
note that this has to be fast as the incumbent administration want to pay
all debts before the end of September.

Please treat with strict confidently and utmost
urgency. You can also contact my partner (davidliberty2000@yahoo.com)
N.B: Your telephone, fax numbers and your private
email are needed for easy communication.

Best regards,

Mike Opara

Mopara1@live.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam