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:
  • "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: hajia mariam <mariam1768@msn.com>
Reply-To: <hmariam105@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 10:34:20 +0000
Subject: Dear beloved,





Dear beloved,
Due to the sudden death of my husband General Abacha the former
head of state of Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown into a
state of hopelessness by the present administration. I have lost
confidence with anybody within my country. I got your contacts
through personal research, and had to reach you through this
medium. I will give you more details when you reply.
Due to security network placed on my daily affairs I can't visit
the embassy so that is why I have contacted you. My husband
deposited $12.6million dollars with a security firm abroad whose
name is withheld for now till we communicate. I will be happy if
you can receive these funds and keep it safe I assure you
something good out of the funds in return for your assistance. I
will need your telephone/mobile numbers so that we can commence
communication.
Sincerely Yours,
Hajia Mariam

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam