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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:
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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)
  • "claims 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.
  • +34619187458 (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.
  • lottoryesp@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Maria Willson <madridmlottery@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: lottoryesp@netscape.net
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 15:58:20 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATION


MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
PLAZA DE COLON E-29080, MADRID SPAIN.
FROM THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/ PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF:EG/2551256003/86
BATCH NO:0007570234


Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the
Lottery Winners International programs held on the 17th
of Oct. 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket
number 20511465897-0186 with serial number 472-971453
drew lucky numbers 8-66-97-22-76-00 which consequently
won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been
approved for a lump sum pay out of EUR750,000.00 (Seven
Hundred And Fifty Thousand Euros)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Your fund is now deposited with the finance company
and insured in your name, Due to mixed up of some
numbers and names we ask that you keep this award a
top secret from public notice until your claim has
been processed and your money remitted to your account
as this is part of our security protocol to avoid
double claiming of unwarranted taking of advantage of
this program by participants.
All participants were selected through a computer
ballot system drawn from 25,000 names from Asia,
Australia, America, Africa, New Zealand, Europe and
Middle East, as part of our International promotions
program.
To begin your claim, please contact your claims agent,
MR JUAN JOSE the Foreign Service manager of GLOBAL
TRUST AGENCY On Tel 0034- 619-187- 458 for the
processing and remittance of your prize money to a
designated account of your choice.
MR JUAN JOSE
GLOBAL TRUST AGENCY
121 MADRID CENTRAL
SPAIN.

PHONE: +34 619 187 458
EMAIL: lottoryesp@netscape.net
Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later
than 16th of Nov. 2005. After this date, all funds
will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA Y
HACIENDA as unclaimed
Note: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and
complications, please remember to quote your reference
and batch number in every of your correspondence with
us or your agent.
Further more, should you have any change of address or
questions do inform your claims official as soon as
possible.

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 Maria wilson
Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam