419 scam: SIR EDWARD BLUNT <agentblunt_uklottery01@yahoo.co.uk> ATT:Winner !!!!!Find Below Attach Copy Of{ VERIFICATION AND CLEARANCE FORM}

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

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!
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.
- tomc8219@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: SIR EDWARD BLUNT <agentblunt_uklottery01@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 03:13:43 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: ATT:Winner !!!!!Find Below Attach Copy Of{ VERIFICATION AND CLEARANCE FORM}

ATTENTION: Winner,

Congratulations once again from all the staff here. In order to
verify
your winnings, we need your particulars for record purposes. Attached
here
is a copy of our verifications form, please fill accordingly so as to
proceed with your winnings. Once again congratulations from all the
staff.
Upon receipt of the duly requested data, I will send you the
contact
information of the payments office so you can proceed with effecting
the
release of your claim in anyway you deem fit.

VERIFICATION AND CLEARANCE FORM

1. FULL NAMES: tom warren

COMPANY NAME (IF APPLICABLE):

2.ADDRESS: 31 brownberrie lane horsoforth leeds ls18 5sd

3.SEX: male

4.AGE: 24

5.MARITAL STATUS : single

6.OCCUPATION - consultant
7.E-MAIL ADDRESS: tomc8219@hotmail.com
8.TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): 07879455578
FAx 9.DATE OF BIRTH: 29 09 82
10. BATCH NUMBER 074/05/ZY369
B. REF NUMBER: UK/9420X2/68

11.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL:

12. AMOUNT WON: £500,000

13. COUNTRY: england

14. PRIZE WINNING DETAILS (TICKET NO.): 06-10-19-29-32-42 (bonus
no.13) Serial NO.: 5368/06

NOTE: THIS VERIFICATION FORM SHOULD BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT AND E-
MAILED BACK TO ME WITHIN 72HOURS OF RECEIPT OF THIS FORM.

Warm Regards,

Mr EDWARD BLUNT

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam