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:
  • ",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)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (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.
  
• 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.
  • +22997158458 (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.
  • impexcourier_100@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "philipweah25 Gazeta.pl" <philipweah25@gazeta.pl>
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:54:47 +0100
Subject: Approved ATM Card Payment!


DIRECTOR FOREIGN OPERATION DEPARTMENT
DIAMOND BANK PLC
20/22 GERICO ROUTE COTONOU
BENIN REPUBLIC.


ATTN:PAYMENT NOTIFICATION!


This is to bring to your notice that, I have paid the re-activation and the
delivery of your ATM CARD.I paid it because the ATM CARD 8119 worth
$1,500,000.00 USD has less three days to expire and when it expires the
money will go into Government reserve.With that I decided to help you pay
the money so that the ATM CARD will not expire,because I know when you get
your ATM CARD definitely you must compensate me.


Now your ATM CARD has been deposited with Impex Courier for delievry so i
want you to contact Impex Courier Company with your Full Contact
informations so that they can deliver your ATM CARD to your designated
address without any delay. Like i stated earlier, The delivery charges has
been paid but i did not pay their official keeping fees since they
refused.Reasons for their refusal is because they do not know when you are
going to contact them. They told me that their keeping fee is $25 per day
and i deposited it on Thuesday this week.


Below is their Contact Informations,
Contact Person: Dr Kenneth Ifezuo
Impex Courier and Security Company
Email: impexcourier_100@yahoo.fr
Tel: +229 97158458


Contact Today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and let me know once
you receive your Card.

Dr.Philip Weah
ATM OFFICE
DIAMOND BANK PLC.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam