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:
  • "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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: barr.johnson_w19000@yahoo.in
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:42:09 +0530 (IST)
Subject: REF: TOP URGENT


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: barr.johnson_w1900@yahoo.in

THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

- THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of £4,600,000.00GBP (Four million Six hundred thousand British Pounds) in the intent of the deceased (name withheld, since this is our second letter to you).We contacted you once again because you bear the surname identity, the notice once more has just been brought to our attention for the last time) Upon our mutual agreement, our Legal firm here will present you to the Probate as the new beneficiary to the inheritance since there is no written will. Note that we can do this because of the surname identity.I will provide you with all the necessary documents/legal services as part of our role, as our services include the preparation of Letters of administration and powers of attorney to our clients. So we could provide the necessary services so to secure the release of the money in your name as the next of kin.All the papers will be processed In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us.file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money.Yours faithfully Barr. Johnson Williams (Esq.)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam