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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.

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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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 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.
  • fiduciary_jack@excite.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Donald Davis" <info_grand_promo_onlinelotto@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:50:41 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

GRAND UNIVERSAL PROMO
10 NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE,
LONDON WC2N 5BX, THE UNITED KINGDOM.
FROM: THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF: GUPL/67-AO91652005

WINNING NOTIFICATION

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today, 10th of 
January 2006,of winners of the GRAND UNIVERSAL PROMO held on 9th of 
January 2006. Your email address was attached to ticket number
13-2316-5086-477; with serial number A025-09 drew the lucky numbers
37-13-34-85-56-87, and consequently won in category A. You have
therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of $1,000,000.00 USD. in
cash credited to file REF NO.GUPL/67-AO91652005.

 

This is from total prize money of $3,000.000.00 USD. shared among the
three international winners in the category A.
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system
drawn from 100,000 companies/individuals from Middle East,
Australia,New Zealand,America,Asia,Europe and North America as part of
our International Promotions Program,which is conducted annually.

CONGRATULATIONS!
Your fund is now deposited with a Security 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 your account. This is part of our
security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by
participants of this program.We hope with a part of you prize, you
will participate in our end of year high stakes $10Million
international lotto.To begin your claim, please respond back to your
claims agent;

Jack Smith
fiduciary_jack@excite.com

He will brief you on steps to be taken for due processing and
remitta nc e of your prize money. Remember, you must contact him using
his mailing address not later than two weeks after this date or funds
will be returned as unclaimed.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
remember reach your claims agent with these informaion:

Ticket number 13-2316-5086-477
Serial number A025-09
Lucky numbers 37-13-34-85-56-87
File REF NO. GUPL/67-AO91652005

Full Name............................

Contact Phone Number..............

Occupation...........................

Nationality...........................

Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part
of our promotions program.

Sincerely,
Mr.Donald Davis
THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS,            
GRAND UNIVERSAL PROMO

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam