419 scam: "WWW.LOTTO.NL"<international.awardprogram@lotto.nl> =?utf-8?q?LATVIAN_LOTTO_NL_WINNER_-

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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "account opening" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "regio-bnk.nv@live.nl" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +31616040909 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "WWW.LOTTO.NL"<international.awardprogram@lotto.nl>
Reply-To: regio-bnk.nv@live.nl
Date: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 01:17:59 +0200
Subject: =?utf-8?q?LATVIAN_LOTTO_NL_WINNER_-_=E2=82=AC750=2C000=2E00?=

From: Mrs Wilhemina Steenhof (Lottery Co-ordinator)
The Netherlands
Website: www.lotto.nl
=

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
LOTTO NL has awarded your e-mail address attached to international award n=
umber: 5216572/IAN and LOTTO NL number: 62587449/NL the sum of =20AC750,000=
,00.00 (Seven hundred and fifty thousand Euro) which was first in the first=
class of the draws. You have been awarded this amount because you do parti=
cipate in online activities like online banking, e-bay or other internet ac=
tivities. This award program is designed specially to promote internet bank=
ing, online payments like e-bay, paypal etc.
To claim your prize please follow the strict instructions given below:
=

1. Click on the link of our paying bank: www-regiobank.nl
2. Read the instructions given carefully and follow the instructions.
3. Your winning numbers should never be passed on to a third party, doing s=
o will lead to immediate disqualification.
4. Apply for an online offshore account that your prize will be paid into.
For immediate release of your cash prize contact our paying bank, call imm=
ediately, always quote your winning numbers anytime you contact the bank fo=
r verification purposes.
Send the following informations to the e-mail address of the paying bank i=
f you experience difficulties with link stated above.
(i) Full name:
(ii) Tel/Fax:
(iii) Contact Address:
(iv) Your winning numbers: international award number: 5216572/IAN and LOTT=
O NL number: 62587449/NL
(v) Quote amount won: =20AC750,000.00 (Seven hundred and fifty thousand Eur=
o)
(vi) Notification date: 2nd of August; 2013
(vii) Awarded E-mail address:
NOTE: If you experience any problems the link above please call immediatel=
y and send the required details to the e-mail below. Send a scanned copy of=
your ID or international passport to the e-mail address stated below, this=
must be done to be able to claim your prize.
REGIOBANK INTERNATIONAL SECTOR
ACCOUNT OPENING DEPARTMENT
E-mail: regio-bnk.nv@live.nl
Contact person: Account officer
Countr: The Netherlands
Telephone: +31-616-040-909
Fax: +31-616-040-909
Calling hours: Monday-Friday, 09:00-18:00 hours (Central European time)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam