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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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 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.
  • +34657090775 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • mercadoslotto@netscape.net
  • santatec@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: JOSE MIGUEL <mercadoslotto@netscape.net>
Reply-To: santatec@netscape.net
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 16:12:44 +0200
Subject: AWARD NOTIFICATION


mercadoslotto@netscape.net

AVD. REAL MARDRID 32-44
C.P 28001 MARDRID,SPAIN
TEL: +34 657 090 775

FROM THE DESK OF MANAGING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRICE AWARD DEPT.
REF SERIAL NUMBER: 066-03407766-137. BATCH NO: 83810-0

AWARD NOTIFICATION / FINAL
NOTICE

We are pleased to inform you today the 11th of oct
2005 of the result of THE
MERCADOS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION PROGRAM held
on the 7th of oct 2005
as part of our yearly bonanza. Participants were
selected through a computer
ballot system drawn from 36,000,000 names/email
addresses of individuals and
companies from Africa, America, Asia, Australia,
Canada, Europe, Middle East,
and New Zealand as part of our International
Promotions Program.
You/Your Company, attached to ticket number
066-03407766-137, with batch number
83810-0 drew the lucky numbers 1-01-13-21-23-29+ 04 -
08 and consequently won in
the third Category "C".
You have therefore been approved to a lum sum of
420,555 Euros ( Four Hundred
and twenty thousnad Five hundred and fifty five Euros)
in cash. This is the
winning payout for Category "C".
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Our Yearly programs trusted by millions around the
world changes life of
winners. ALL TICKETS ARE BOUGHT AND PLAYED FOR
INTERNATIONAL CITIZENS BY
GOVERNMENT APPROVED,LICENCED AND AUTHORIZED AGENTS OR
COMPANIES.
All international winners are processed by authorized
licensed Agents by the
Spanish Government and recomended by the SPANISH
LOTTERY BOARD.Your winning
amount is insured in your name and will be released by
the MINISTRY for pay out
after Data Clearifications and Verifications.

Due to part of our security protocol to avoid double
claiming or unscrupulous
acts by participants/no participants of this
program.We assigned to you an Agent
from the Operation Department who have played the
Lottery for this Year
International Program, for processing and remittance
on claiming your Winning
Amount.

TO BEGIN YOUR LOTTERY CLAIM , KINDLY CONTACT YOUR
AGENT,
FOREIGN OPERATION DEPARTMENT * ( MR) JOSE MIGUEL'
MANAGER * SANTATEC CONSULTANT S. A , SPAIN
TEL: + 34 685 287 406
EMAIL: santatec@netscape.net

NOTE: All prices must be claimed not latter than Four
weeks after this date
all funds will be returned to the MINISTRY of the
Hacienda as unclaimed. In
order to avoid unnecessary delays, kindly send your
Datas

1. COPY OF THE AWARD NOTICE
2. FULL CONTACT DETAILS

We also wish to bring to your notice our mid year
(2005) high stakes where you
stand a chance of winning up to €5.Million, we hope
that with a part of your
prize you will participate.
Please contact your claim agent immediately, to begin
your claim process.

CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN FROM ALL OUR STAFF.

SINCERELY
DR, MARTINEZ PASCUEL
MANGING DIRECTOR, MERCADOS
SPAIN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam