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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.

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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)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +447031904312 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • sweepstakes_clark@yahoo.it

Fraud email example:

From: "ITALIAN CLAIM SERVICE" <sweepstakeclaim@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 02:01:13 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION CONTACT CLAIM AGENT

Due Processing Division (DPD)  7 Holbein Place, London, SW1W 8NR Tel:+44-703-190-431-2                                                               RE: OFFICIAL WINNING NOTIFICATION FILE REF NO: 07- 321786542 FAST NO: 2912144 LOTTO REF: HRL/0507/FAST   Dear Consolation Prize Winner, This email confirms that you have received from the Herritage Lottery Fund INTERNATIONAL an official notification of your lotto winning in the Herritage Lottery Fund AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTION TICKET GAME (H.L.F.A.S.T) played on octomber 1, 2005 at our lottery office complex Trafford, London. You have won a Herritage Lottery Fund PRIZE OF $ 500,000 USD, a prize payout of your winning has been approved by the Herritage Lottery Fund. In ccordance with the United Kingdom lottery ordinance, you are authorized as the lotto prize winner to request claims of your winning prize. The Herritage Lottery Fund AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTION TICKET (H.L.A.S.T) GAME is an online promotional program organized by the Herritage Lottery Fund INTERNATIONAL. A total of 500,000 different email addresses are entered for the Herritage Lottery Fund AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTION TICKET GAME (H.L.A.S.T). All email addresses entered for the game are submitted by our partner international email service providers/ marketing companies and public services providers. Winners are randomly selected systematically through our Electronic Random Selection System (ERSS). Your email ID was included among the 500,000 email addresses and entered for Batch 16125 with Ticket No. 2912144 and was luckily selected among 1-5 batch winners. Note that the Herritage Lottery Fund INTERNATIONAL will remit prize payout to only winners who officially file in for their prize claims. You are to choose one out of the listed option by which you want your prize remitted to you: (1) A certified Cheque will be issued in your name and couriered to your resident address. (2) Traveling to our office in London for personal collection of winning prize. You are required to file your claims by contacting the OFFICE of Due Processing Division. EMAIL:sweepstakes_clark@yahoo.it Completely fill out the Claim Form - E provided herein and submit a completed filled form via email or send the information needed to the Due Processing Division.                            Your winning information has been provided above. =========================================================================== APPLICATION FOR PRIZE CLAIM FORM - E (Receipt Official Notification Letter) [FILE REF 07- 21786542] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [FULL NAME OF WINNER]...................................................... [RESIDENT ADDRESS]......................................................... [COUNTRY/ REGION].................. [STATE]............................. [DATE OF BIRTH]...../...../......... [SEX].......... [OCCUPATION]........................ [CURRENT EMAIL]..................... [TEL/FAX]........................... =========================================================================== WINNING INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [FAST TICKET NR]........................ [LOTTERY REF NR]................ [DATE].................................. ===========================================================================                                       CLAIMANT SIGNATORY DECLARATION. I ..................................... Declare as the lotto prize winner that all information I have provided for my winning claims are true and correct information of myself. I agree with the Herritage Lottery Fund INTERNATIONAL lottery policy and regulation in line with my lottery claims. =========================================================================== Please indicate "X" for the option you want your prize remitted to you. Listed below is our payment modalities and option of payment. (1) TRAVELLING TO THE UK FOR PRIZE COLLECTION:[…………] (2) BY COURIER DELIVERY OF YOUR PRIZE CHEQUE: […………] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS EMAIL WAS SENT FROM THE DESK OF THE ORGANIZATION PRESIDENT Herritage Lottery Fund INTERNATIONAL, ON BEHALF OF H.L.A.S.T GAMES 2005. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WINNING. SINCERELY, ROBERT A. V. BENARD, GROUP Co-ordinator. - HLF NOTE:

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam