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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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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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: "Thomas Walter" <thomwalt@rediffmail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005 20:08:22 +0000
Subject: Lottery Winner

WORLDWIDE PROMOTIONAL LOTTERY
38 EDWARD STREET,
4TH FLOOR BARINOR BUILDING
UK LONDON, ENGLAND
Ref: UT/941OY2/02
Batch: 12/25/DC34
04/02/2005
WINNING NOTIFICATION:
We happily announce to you the draw of the Euro - Afro Asian
Sweep stake International programs held on the 30th of October 2004 in Cairo
Egypt. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545-288 with
Serial number 5388/02 drew the lucky numbers 31-6-26-13-35-7, which
subsequently won you the lottery in the 3RD category You have therefore been
approved to claim a total sum of US$2,500,00000 (Two Million, Five Hundred
Thousand, United States Dollars) in cash credited to file PC/9080118308/02.
This is from a total cash prize of US $25Million dollars, shared amongst the
first Fifty (50) lucky winners in this category. Please note that your lucky
winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in
Europe as indicated in your play coupon.
In view of this, your US$2,500,000.00 (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand,
United States Dollars) would be released to you by our security firm in
Europe. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to
facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him. All
participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through
computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies. This
promotion takes place annually. For security reasons, you are advised to
keep your winning information confidential until your claims is processed
and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your
prize This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and
unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. To file for
your
claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Mr Thomas Walter
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your
reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with our designated agent or
us. Congratulations once more from all members and Staffs of this program.
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.
Sincerely,
SIR H.J.PONFA
WORLDWIDE PROMOTIONAL LOOTERY
Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam