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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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: "MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTORY" <paulagency20051@netscape.net> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 20:06:34 +0200
Subject: YOU HAVE WON



MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL.
HOOFGHESS 103 KL
1102 GH,
AMSTERDAM-NETHERLANDS.


FROM:THE DESK OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD.
WEB-WWW.microsoft.com

BACTH NO: 213-127-798-ppl1102.
SERIAL NO;63-PR-LD44

WINNING NOTIFICATION,

Attn,

Sir,Madam


This is to inform you of the release of the MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL/ WORLD GAMING BOARD held on the 1st May 2005 Due to the mix up of numbers, the results were released on the 5th May 2005. Your name attached to ticket666/09/pr also with with drew the lucky numbers of 7-9-2-8 which consequently won the lottery in the 1st category.
You have therefore been approved for payment THREE HUNDRE AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY.( US$350,000.00 ) cash credited to file with REF. NO.633/98/401

CONGRATULATIONS:Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed
and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some paticipants.All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from only Microsoft users from over 20,000 company, and 3,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.This promotional program takes place every three years. For your processing of your claim please contact our fudicial agent in the legaldepartment.

Mr. Paul Smith
TEL:0031-615-223-119
FAX:0031-615-223-119
Email:paulagency20051@netscape.net
MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY INTER.

processing and remittance of your winning prize money to a destination of your choice.Any claim not made befor 6th May this day will be returned to the MINISTERIAL VAN DE ECONOMIA NETHERLANDS. Note that all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.

Also in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all your correspondence
with Mr.Paul Smith

Please follow all his instructions.Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform us as quickly as possible.

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Yours Sincerely,
Sandra Blaze Hoornbeck
Vice President,
MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY INTER.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam