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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • +22998060841 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • secretarytarget@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Stanford Nwabueze <mrstanford_nwabueze2000@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:23:51 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Dear Barb Knowles, For your compensation.


Dear Barb Knowles,
 
Longest time,
 
I could not contact you earlier before now due to my tight schedules. I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that money transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from Spain.
 
Presently I'm in Spain with the partner for some projects with the money. I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.
 
Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthness you showed at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $1.2 million United State dollars for your compensation.
 
I have authorized my confidential secretary Mr. Target Sekibo to issue to you the said amount Via International certfied bank draft cashable in your bank account.
 
Here is his contact information.
 
Name: Mr.Target Sekibo.
Tel: +229 98 06 08 41.
Email:secretarytarget@yahoo.fr
 
At this moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which myself and my new partner are having at hand. Finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to My Secretary on your behalf to send the bank  Cheque/draft to you as soon as you contact Him without delay and also call him for confirmation as well.
 
Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart.
 
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
 
Hope to hear from you soon.
 
Yours Brother,
 
Mr. Stanford Nwabueze


__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ne pleurez pas si votre Webmail ferme ! Récupérez votre historique sur Yahoo! Mail ! http://fr.docs.yahoo.com/mail/transfert_mails.html

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam