419 scam: "U.S.A Power-Ball Lottery" <pball@usa.org> USA POWER-BALL LOTTERY::

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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:
- "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)
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.
- payoutmanagerus@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- mrs.nora morgan. winners directorate office e-mail: payoutmanagerus@yahoo.com usa lottery coordinator. sincerely, best regards, mr. (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "U.S.A Power-Ball Lottery" <pball@usa.org>
Reply-To: <lotterycompany0@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:50:33 -0400
Subject: USA POWER-BALL LOTTERY::

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU WON FORTY MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ( $40, 000. 000 USD) Dear Lucky Winner, We are Pleased to inform you that your email address was selected among the winning numbers of the recently Lotto conducted from the United States Lottery Company and we shall be glad if you claim your prize, please respond to this mail within 72 hours otherwise we will assume that you are not interested.The lotto was conducted using Lotto as part of our tax relief program set up by the United States Of America International Lottery Board and Power-Ball, on this note we congratulate you and wish you best of luck as you claim the prize attached to this Lotto. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR WINNING PRIZE FUND. These are your identification numbers. Ticket number.....................085-12876077-09 Serial number.......................51390-0 Lucky number...................7-10-22-32-35-23-19 Ref number...................N.EGS/3662367114/13 You are to send the complete verification form below to the coordinator whose email address is given below for more advis on what to do to get your prize money. Congratulations once more!! 1.FULL NAME............................... 2.COUNTRY OF ORIGIN....................... 3.PRESENT ADDRESS:........................ 4.POSTCODE:............................... 5.DATE OF BIRTH:.......................... 6.OCCUPATION:............................. 7.SEX..................................... 8.TELEPHONE NUMBER........................ 9.FAX NUMBER(IF ANY)...................... 10.MARITAL STATUS......................... Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 30 days of receiving this notification. Any claim not made by this date will be returned to HIS MAJESTY DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. And also be informed that 10% of your lottery winning belongs to (THE PROMOTIONS COMPANY). Because they are the company that bought your ticket and played the lottery in your favor by your email. Note also that this 10% will be remitted after you have received your winnings prize, because the money is insured in your name already. USA CONTACT PERSON: MRS.NORA MORGAN. Winners Directorate Office E-Mail: payoutmanagerus@yahoo.com USA LOTTERY COORDINATOR. Sincerely, Best Regards, Mr. Moore Green From: USA-Powerball Online Lottery Email: lotterycompany0@yahoo.co.jp http://www.lottobroker.com/en/play/usa-powerball/

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam