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:
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "abidjan" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: michelle Peterian <michelle1pet@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 07:40:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From Michelle.


Hello Dear,

Good day and i believe you will be of great assistance to me that will make the beginning of never-ending relationship and financial transaction for our mutual benefits hence I write with due respect .

I am 22 years of age, the only daughter of late Mr and Mrs Meledje Traore, from Odienne Province in Cote D' Ivoire. My father before his death was a prosperous Cocoa and Gold merchant in Odienne, Republic of Cote D' Ivoire, and I inherited an important sum of money from my late father who died in a recent crisis in Cote d'Ivoire. I wish to request for your assistance in investing this money in a lucreative venture under your directives and guidiance in your country. I want you to assist me for the transfer of this sum of Four million, five hundred thousand United State Dollars.($4.500,000) which my late father deposited in a bank here in Abidjan. to your country. hence I will give you the contact of the bank where the fund is so that you can contact them immediately and discuss with them since I do not know much about financial issues.
I will give you some resonable percentage from the total sum for your assistance while I pray that you do not betray me at last.

Please it is important you contact me immediately for more clarifications on the next step hence it is my wish to re-locate to your country as soon as this transaction is concluded.

Best regards, and God blessings and guidance as I await your quick response.
Michelle Traore.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam