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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claims director" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• 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.
  • +447023055549 (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.
  • edwinclaimagent@excite.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Europe finance trustees" <europefinancecommission@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 08:29:00 +0000
Subject: EUROPEAN ANNUAL END OF YEAR BONANZA AWARD NOTIFICATION!!!!!

INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT

Macclesfield,United Kingdom.

Customer's Service Center

Ref Number: UK/910/16454

Batch Number: VC/32/ID1141

Dispatch date: 28/12/2005.

Dear Sir/Madam

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 22/12/2005 in ENGLAND AND WALES. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 5224652456UT with serial number 0098/UK0204, batch number VC/32/ID1141,lottery ref number UK/910/16454 and drew lucky numbers 03-01-15-20-34-33-07 which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$2.500,000.00 (TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND United States dollars)in cash credited to file KLTT/KTU/2004ETN.This is from a total cash prize of US$25 Million dollars, shared amongst the first TEN (10) lucky winners in this First category.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims 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 40,000 company and 20,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.This promotional program takes place every year.

This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of software producers.To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial agent:

=======================================================

MR. EDWIN COLE

OFFICIAL CLAIMS AGENT

EUROPEAN LOTTERY INC.

Macclesfield, United Kingdom

Email: edwinclaimagent@excite.com     

Office tel:+44 702 305 5549

=======================================================

Remember, all winning in this first category must be claimed not later than 4th of January,2006. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to provide him with the following details when contacting him.

1.your reference number............
2.batch numbers.............
3.full names..............
4.contact address............
5.valid tel/fax numbers..........
6.country..........
7.occupation...........
8.date of birth..........
9.sex...........
10.next of kin...........

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 that you must contact your claims agent within one week of receipt of this notice.

Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.Please if you are choosen as a grand winner of this year sweepstakes do contact your Official claims director on the contact information stated above or call Mr.Edwin Cole for futher assistance.If you are not liable to recieve this mail do not respond to it.

Sincerely,

MRS.ROSE WOOD

CHIEF CO-ORDINATOR

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam