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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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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
• 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.
  • infotranxbanking_it@yahoo.com.au

Fraud email example:

From: CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE WON!!! <ecolottitaly2005@yahoo.com.au>
Reply-To: infotranxbanking_it@yahoo.com.au
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:21:16 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE WON!!!


EURO AFRO ASIA INTERNATIONAL PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT /ROMA ITALY
FROM: THE DIRECTOR OF E.A.A.D INTERNATIONAL/ PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF:HW2/204119318/04
BATCH:18/103/JGS.

Attn:Dear Winner
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 30TH August2005 . Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 653164251591-6011 with serial number 7321410,batch number 7151085135,lottery ref number 6376527711 and drew lucky numbers 4-9-17-36-44-78 which consequently won in the 1st category, you ave therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of 500,000.00 ( FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND EUROS )

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 draw from over 40,000 company and 20,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.

This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of software producers. we hope with part of your winning,you will take part in our next year US$20 million international lottery. To file for your claim please
contact our affiliate agent paying bank.

TRANSXPRES BANK FINANCE & SECURITY, ROMA ITALY.
CONTACT PERSON: Mr.COLLINS SYDNEY (TBFS BANK)
TEL: + 39-346-015-4363
EMAIL:infotranxbanking_it@yahoo.com.au

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 20th. of October 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 with your agent.

Furthermore you are seriously advised to keep all winning lottery information and numbers from the public in line with our company security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by unscrupulous individuals.

Should there be any change of address do inform our Fiducial 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.
yours Sincerely,
Mrs.Silvia Amstrong ,
Lottery Coordinator
E.A.A.D International Prize Award Department Italy.
Note: Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to Disqualification. Please do not reply to this mail. Contact your claim agent.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam