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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:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "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!

Fraud email example:

From: "VIRGIN ATLANTIC PROMOTION" <virginatlanticpromo@free-day.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 14:15:34 +0200
Subject: Congratulation lucky winne



FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
INTERNATIONAL VIRGIN ATLANTIC PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD
DEPARTMENT,
REF: OYL /2551256003/22
BATCH: 14/0017/SHI

ATTENTION: HONOURABLE WINNER,
RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION: FINAL NOTICE

3RD CATEGORY PROMOTIONAL DRAWN RESULT

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today been The 21th
Octobert 2005 winners of the VIRGIN ATLANTIC PROMO PROGRAMS UK held
on 11th of October 2005. Youwere attached to ticket number
025-1146-1992-750, with Serial number 2113-22 drew the Lucky
numbers13-15-22-37-39-43, and consequently won the Lottery in the 3rd
category.you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
(2,000,000.00 Pounds) credited to file REF.This is from total prize of (10 Million Pounds) shared among the Six international winners in this category

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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 claiming and unwarranted abuse of this programby some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn form 15 million names and email address from Australia,NewZealand,America,Europe and North America and Africa as part of International Promotions Program,which is conducted annually. we look forward to your active participation in our end of year 10 Million Pounds Slot.You are advised to contact your claims agent on the procedure to claim your winnings.
Your fund is now deposited with a company insured in your Name. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award strictly from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double Claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program.To begin your claim, please contact your claim agent.

MR RICHARD LEWIS: (LOTTERY CHARITABLE GAMING DIVISION)
Email:r_lewisclaimdep@ec-red.com

For due processing and remittance of your prize.Remember all prize
money must be claimed not later than14 Days from today. After 14 Days, all funds will be returned as unclaimed.

Sincerely,
DR BENARD JOHNSON
INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
PROMOTIONS MANAGER.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, Please
remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in every one of your correspondences with your agent.Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your Claim Agent as soon as possible


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam