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:
  • "million pounds" (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 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.
  • mrsmariathompson@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: Maria Thompson <ps-cernovice@iol.cz>
Reply-To: mrsmariathompson@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:09:30 GMT
Subject: Hello




Lady Maria Thompson.
Manchester, United Kingdom.

I am Lady Maria Thompson, wife of Late France's Thompson, chairman and CEO owner of (Thompson SA and Major Oil dealer in the Middle East), i was diagnosed of having Cancer.

I was Recently informed by Doctor that i have a few days to live due to the cancer ailment.

I have decide to donate the Twenty Million Pounds that my husband deposited in a Bank here in the United Kingdom to you for charity purpose.

Please get back using this email: mrsmariathompson@gmail.com

You have a lovely day as i await response.

Your Faithfully
Lady Maria Thompson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam