419 scam: congratulation congratulation <congratulation_35332223@msn.com> CONGRATULATIONS!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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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 uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "e.a.a.s " (no such lottery exists)
- "arena complex km 18 route de rufisque" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
- "route de rufisque" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million united states 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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. )
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!
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: congratulation congratulation <congratulation_35332223@msn.com>
Reply-To: <steve_zafirah51@hotmail.my>
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:15:00 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We happily announce to you the draw of 2011 Euro-Afro Asian
Sweepstakes Lottery International Program held in United
Kingdom. Your E-mail address attached to draw number: FD559/SL/7443465/05 with serial number: 652-662 and draw Luky number: 5341802-560 which subsequently won you lottery in the
3rd category of file number: FA1305U-ID. You
have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$2,000,000.00 (two
million United States Dollars) in Cheque.
All participants in this lottery program were
selected randomly through a computer ballot system, drawn from individual email
addresses from all search engines. Your e-mail address was picked by the
automated computer ballot system, which has been programed for this random
selection. This has eventually qualified you for the Winning.This promotional
program takes place annually, and is promoted and sponsored by eminent
personalities, Sultan
of Brunei, Bill
Gates of Microsoft Inc.With the support of European corporate
companies and organizations to encourage the use of Internet and computers
worldwide. in cashcredited to file KTU/9023118308/03.

YOUR ADDRESS HAS WON
(2,000,000.00)

Please note that your lucky winning unmber
falls within our Asian representative's booklet in KUALA LUMPUR MALAYISA as
indicated in your file number: FA1305U-ID. In
view of this, your $2,000,000.00USD Cheque would be released to you by Our Asian
Fiduciary Agent, Our Asian Fiduciary Agent will immediately commence the process
to facilitate the release of your Cheque as soon as Possible.
Please contact BARRISTER STEVE
MARTINS.G And his Secretary MISS ZAINAL ZAINAL ABIDIN in KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA,
for your claim with the following details below to enable the speedy evaluation
and processing of your
winning.
1 Name
2 Home address
3 Telephone Number
4 Age
5 Occupation
6 lucky number
7 Serial number
8 File
number
9 Draw number
BARRISTER STEVE MARTINS.G
And his Secretary
MISS ZAINAL ZAINAL ABIDIN
E.A.A.S Inc. ASIAN FIDUCIARY AGENT

E-mail;(steve_zafirah51@hotmail.my)
For security purposes and clarity we advice that you keep your
winning informations confidential, and not to be disclosed to anyone until your
claim have been fully processed and your winning Cheque delivered to you. BE WARNED!

Your winning details can only be released to
your fiduciary agent who will commence the process of your winning, This is to
avoid wrong and double claim, it is also part of our security protocol to avoid
unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous element.You are requested
to contact Our Asian Fiduciary Agent in KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA for your claim.
Please note that you will make your claim but not later than one month and two
weeks grace
period from the date you
received winning notification.
In order to avoid unnecessary delays and
complications make sure that your winning details are quoted correctly in all
correspondence. We advice that you adhere strictly to these procedures to avoid
disqualifications and subsequent cancellation. The above detailed information
will be absolutely necessary to facilitate the process of your winning
Cheque.Once again! please Note that this winning is valid for(14)fourteen days
and grace
period of(7)sven days,failure to issue claims after this period, your
Cheque will be automatically voided.
CONGRATULATIONS,

Yours
faithfully,
E.A.A.S
Lottery Headquarters,
Euro-Afro Asian Sweepstakes Lottery Inc.
Customer
Service,580 N.Tenth Street,
Sacrament,
CA 85914,
An Affiliate of Charity International.
Arena Complex Km 18 Route
de Rufisque,
I.P.P Award
Department,UintedKingdom.

DR. ALLEN
SMITH,
DR.
ALLEN SMITH

(Z0NAL
CO-CORDINATOR)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam