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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• 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.
  • +31642510036 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL <santaclaims@netscape.net>
Reply-To: infol2004@netscape.net
Date: Sun, 02 Oct 2005 13:36:11 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE WON!!!


Ref. Number: 132/756/4107
Batch Number: 538901537-BB67

Sir/Madam.
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the
Lottery Winners International programs held on the
26th of Sept, 2005. Your E-mail address attached to
ticket number 27511465895-6410 with serial number
3772-510 drew lucky numbers 7-14-88-23-21-45 which
consequently won in the 1st category, you have
therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$
500, 000.00(Five Hundred Thousand United states
dollars)
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 participants.

All participants were selected through a computer
ballot system drawn from over 20,000 company and
30,000,000 individual Email addresses and names from
all over the world. This promotional program takes
place every three years. This lottery was promoted and
sponsored by Largest software’s, we hope with part of
your winning you will take part in our next year USD50
million international lottery.

To file for your claim. please contact our FIDUCIAL
Agent MR. Adam Smith of MEGA LOTTERY.
TEL: 0031-642-510-036 FAX:
0031-847-253-424 EMAIL:
infol2004@netscape.com

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than
20th of Oct,2005. After this date all unclaimed funds
will be included in the next stake. Please note in
order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
please 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
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.

Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Grace Edward

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam