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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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.

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Fraud email example:

From: "GoldenSweepstakes Incorporated" <Goldensweepstakes@indiatimes.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: goldenstakes@europe.com
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:12:34 +0100
Subject: Congratulations...You made it!

Hello,

We are pleased to inform you, that as a result of our RECENT LOTTERY DRAWS HELD on the 27th of August, 2004.Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 91522475892-411 with serial number 412-881 drew lucky numbers 9-21-15-61-21-17 which consequently won in the 2nd category. you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of $1,100,000 (One Million, One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) Note that All participants in this lottery program have been selected randomly through a computer ballot system drawn from over 25,000 companies and 35,000,000 individual email addresses from all web sites.

This promotional program takes place every year, and is promoted and sponsored by eminent Personalities like the Sultan of Brunei, Bill Gates of Microsoft inc and other corporate organisations. This is to encourage the use of the internet and computers worldwide. For security purpose and clarity, we advise that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims have been processed and your money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claims and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. We look forward to your active participation in our next year USD$60 million slot.

Should you be interested and would like to claim your winnings, forward the following information:
1. Full Names and address, including phone and fax numbers.
2. Date of birth and occupation
3. Copy of your most recent utility bill (Gas, Electricity or phone bills) for identification purposes.
4. Copy of your drivers or first three pages of your State/national identity card for verification purposes.
To: ATTN: MS. Elma Smith Email:goldenstakes@europe.com to assist you with your winnings.

All winnings must be claimed not later than two weeks from the date of this notice. Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Once more, and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

NOTE: YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED IF YOU ARE BELOW 20 YEARS OF AGE.

Sincerely yours,

.Ian Campbell
Coordinator Golden Sweepstakes Incorporated.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam