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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:

• 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.
  • lucdayta@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: "worldnetfavour@go.com" <worldnetfavour@go.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 11:17:47 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!WINNING NOTIFICATION.


FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR,PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,Ref. Number: NL/729/49Batch Number: KA-723824
Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the World Lottery Winners International programs held on the 13th October, 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 6709233 with serial number 85305523 drew lucky numbers 80-34-92-44 which consequently won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$ 1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claim 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 90,600 company and 68,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every year.This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Bill Gates, President of the World Largest software, we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next year USD 5.8 million international lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our agentMR.STONE BROWN of the Lucky Day Trust Consultancy.TEL: 0031 - 617 644 971FAX: 0031 - 847 153 719 Email: lucdayta@netscape.net
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number, batch number, your full names, telephone number, fax number and address in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.
For security purpose and clarity, we advise that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims have been processed and your money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claims and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
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,
DR. ALESSANDRA RAYNERS.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam