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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "certified bank draft" (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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • worldcourierservices1956@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MARTIN PITTS <martinpits_claimsdept@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 15:05:28 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT OUR AFFILIATE COURIER FIRM FOR COST OF DELIVERY!











MICROSOFT AWARD TEAM
Microsoft Corporation
#1 Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052.

Ticket Number: 8390281
Serial Number: 3422/06
Lucky Numbers: 4-7-10-33-35-49






Attn: Winner,


PAYMENT OPTIONS / DELIVERY PROCEDURE



CONGRATULATIONS!

This is to inform you that Your Particulars have been verified and that you have been cleared a winner of the MSW MEGA JACKPOT LOTTO WINNINGS PROGRAMS.


Also this is in receipt of your mail and required data inclusive. Also the verification process has been completed.

However for your notification, your winnings is not in cash form but in Certified Bank Draft, this advice complies with thce Anti-Fraud policy existing between Lottery companies and the British Government.

The payment process involves your making a choice from these two(2) options of payment, the one that suits you the most for the release of your winnings.

1. Have your winning certified draft couriered by our affiliate Courier firm to you personally so that you can take it to your local bank to cash.

2. Have your winning certified draft also couriered directly to your nominated Bank and be deposited in your account on your behalf.


Consequently, you have been directed to contact our affiliate courier firm by email with your batch and reference numbers immediately for the delivery of your winning draft.This certified cheque would be taken by you to any of your local Banks to cash or deposited in your Bank accounts as preferred by you. In this regard, you would contact the courier company and state your choice of delivery from the above listed option and also notify us on your most suited option.

Stated below is the courier contact details for immediate delivery.

NAME: Billy Richardson
COMPANY: World Courier (U.K.) Ltd.
8th Floor
Sea Containers House
20 Upper Ground
London SE1 9PD
England

EMAIL: worldcourierservices1956@yahoo.co.uk

You are hereby directed to make the above contact immediately stating your pin numbers also (92166676) and inform them about your winnings and that you want your delivery made as soon as possible. Inform me as soon as you contcact the courier company.



Congratulations once again from the entire staff of the Microsoft Award Team.



Mr.Martin Pitts,
MICROSOFT AWARD TEAM.
United Kingdom.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam