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"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:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs.Sylvia.A.Hinges
Reply-To: star_superlotto@zwallet.com
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:14:29 +0100
Subject: STAR SUPERNAL LOTTO WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


STAR SUPERNAL LOTTO
VIA VENECIA 27/29
15-89, 1000 ACUNA
ITALY.
Ref. N=3DBA: ES/007/05/12/IT.
Batch. N=3DBA: GHT/2907/333/05.
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE LOTTERY.
We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer
balloting sweepstake held on 17th Febuary,2006. This is a millennium
scientific computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a
promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do not
need to buy ticket to enter it. Your email address attached to ticket star
number (4-5) drew the
EUROMILLION lucky numbers 3-19-26-49-50 which consequently won the draw in
the Second category. You have been approve for the star prize of (EURS 950,000.00) Nine Hundred And FIFTY Thousand Euros .
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you
receive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to
you.This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may
tell as we have had cases like this before, please send your Full Name,Home and
Office Tel & Fax Number, Mobile Tel Number and your winning ticket
number,reference numbers and amount won information for processing of your
winning fund to our registered claim agent in addrres below.
WALLA OXFORDA AGENCY
CONTACT: DR Nikolaus S. MAXIMILIAN
FAX:+39-34-8856-2936
Email:wallaoxagency@walla.com
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 16th March,
2006.Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications,
remember to quote your reference number and batch number in all =3D
correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as
soon as possible. Once again congratulations.
Best regard,
Mrs.Sylvia .A. Hinges,
Lottery coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam