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:
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "are expected to pay " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "trunk box" (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)
  • "trunk boxes" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • a0info_ameriembassygha@mail2american.com

Fraud email example:

From: America Embassy Ghana <ghanaamericaembassy@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: info_ameriembassygha@mail2american.com
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 09:27:46 -0800 (PST)
Subject: BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS,AMERICA EMBASSY GHANA.




=A0
U.S. Department of State=A0=A0=20

Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington , DC 20520
Greeting from USA Embassy,

=A0


THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS

ATTENTION: Beneficiary=20

This is to notify you that your consignment trunk boxes has been in our cus=
tody waiting for your comply before the delivery will be effected to your d=
elivery contact house address.=20




We have been waiting for you to contact us regarding your consignment trunk=
boxes which=A0Courier Company suppose to deliver to you which was on hold =
by US Department of State Bureau and requesting for clearance certificate w=
hich will be obtain from the origination of the consignment trunk boxes bef=
ore your consignment trunk boxes will be released.=20





As a result of you not be able comply within duration given by Ghana Govern=
ment that is the reason the consignment trunk boxes was diverted to treasur=
y.=20



All the welfare of United States Citizen is my concerns.=A0That is why I am=
here to take the protocol of all our citizens to not be cheated by African=
s.=A0

After the meeting held by our board of director which was concluded that th=
e delivery of your consignment trunk boxes to your address must be complete=
within three working days upon your comply to our requirement which is by =
sending the sum of $485.00 to enable us obtain the needed certificate and e=
ffect with the delivery of your consignment immediately.

Note that your consignment trunk boxes has arrived in US embassy waiting to=
receive the clearance certificate before the gate pass is given.=20



Mean while you are advice to reconfirm the below information upon contactin=
g us to avoid delivery to wrong person.

1, Your full name
2, Your home address
3, Your occupation=20

4, Direct Telephone Number=20
5, Valid drivers license or pass port=20

Once you notify us with the above information we will release your consignm=
ent to you,=20

Contact=A0the Embassy Office Direct with the following information Below, C=
ontact person,=20

Mr. Frank Miller=20
Phone +233 247 934 580
Email:=A0info_ameriembassygha@mail2american.com=20

Note that you are expected to pay only $485.00 for clearance certificate an=
d you are to pay it to Ghana Republic as the origination of the consignment=
box in favor of Mr. Chris Bala as our accountant officer in Ghana Republic=
Send the $485.00 through western union or Money Gram once you receive this=
mail with the information below for immediate release of your consignment =
box,

Receivers Name: Mrs. Gifty Afua.=20
Country: Accra Ghana
Code: +233
Test Question: Which Colour
Answer: Red
Amount: $485.00

Once you send the money, try to notify us with the MTCN for easy pick up an=
d for immediate action on the release of your consignment.

Please treat this as matter of urgency.
Note that any unclaimed consignment will be return to=A0the=A0Courier
Company=A0after 3 days for final diversion.

So you are urgently advice to comply with our demand so that we will releas=
e your consignment.
Regard,=20

Dr.=A0Moore Frazer,=20
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
FROM UNITED STATE OF AMERICA=20
=A0=20

=A0=0A=0A=0A

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam