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)
  • "cheque " (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22993041202 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR JAMES MARK" <jamesmark0194@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:09:20 +0100
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR PAST EFFORT !!!


Dear Friend,


I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transfered
under the co-operation of a new partner. Meanwhile, i didn't forget your
past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite
that it failed us some how. Now contact my Secretary on his informations
below.


Name: Mr. Roy Edouya
Email: royedouya01@capitalino.com
Phone nos.: +229 9304 1202
Direct mobile: +229 9702 0953


Ask him to send you the total of $1.2m USD in a certified bank cheque which
I kept for your compensation. In the moment, I'm very busy here because of
the investment projects which the new partner and I are having at hand,
finally remember to send your current informations to him as below.


1) Your full name........................................
2) Your contact address.................................
3) A Copy Of Your Identity Card...........................
4) Your direct telephone..................................
5) Sex....................................................
6) Age and Occupation.....................................


I will advise that you call him on receipt of this mail so that it will
facilitate the hole thing and make sure you get back to me as soon as you
receive your money ok.


Thanks and God bless.


Yours Sincerely.


Dr.James Mark.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam