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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:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "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 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.
  • +27734259691 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • maschilequity_financeltd@inbox.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Windfall Lottery" <windfallotterypromotion007@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:20:36 -1000
Subject: ++ YOU MADE IT ++

FROM: THE LOTTERY COORDINATOR,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT
ATTENTION: (REFERENCE NUMBER: WIND-383SA13-05 BATCH
NUMBER:4046WLT-ZA05)

THIRD CATEGORY WINNER


After a successful completion of the third category draws Held on 5th
January 2006, we are pleased to inform you of The official announcement
today that you have emerged one of The winners of the "WINDFALL LOTTO
SPECIAL PROGRAMS", which is Part of our promotional draws. Participants were
selected Through a computer ballot system drawn from 25,000 Names/email
addresses of individuals and companies from Africa, America, Asia,
Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, And New Zealand as part of our
International Promotions Program.

You/Your Company, attached to ticket number 671-25-1105, With serial
number 234-90 drew the lucky numbers 38,44,31,23,17,18, (9), and
consequently won in the Third Category.

You have therefore been awarded a lump sum pay out of US$1,300,000.00
in cash, which is the winning payout for Third category winners. This is
from the total prize money Of US$112,010,000.00 from which fourteen
international Winners in the Third category will be shared.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your fund is now deposited with MASCHIL EQUITY &
FINANCE (PTY) LTD,Bonded/insured in your name.

To avoid mix up of numbers and Names of any kind, we request that
you keep this award Strictly from public notice until the entire
process of Transferring your claims has been completed, and your
Certified banker's Cheque sent to you. This is part of our Security
protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous Acts by participants of
this
program.

We also wish to bring to your notice our end of year (2006) High stakes
where you stand a chance of winning up to US$2.5 Million; we hope that
with a part of your prize you will Participate.

Please contact your claims agent immediately,to begin
your Claims process:

MR. THOMAS MOLOTO.
SENIOR CLAIMS EXECUTIVE,
MASCHIL EQUITY & FINANCE (PTY) LTD.
DIRECT PHONE:+27 734 259 691
EMAIL:maschilequity_financeltd@inbox.com

For due processing,despatch and remittance of your
prize money you must Contact your Claims Agent
within a week of receiving this Mail.

NOTE: To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please Remember to
quote your reference and batch numbers provided Below in every one of
your correspondence with your claims Agent:

REFERENCE NUMBER: WIND-383SA13-05
BATCH NUMBER: 4046WLT-ZA05

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

Sincerely,

HEATHER BENNETT
THE LOTTERY COORDINATOR,
"WINDFALL LOTTO SPECIAL PROGRAMS".
PHONE:27 833 429 289


N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the Winners will
result to disqualification. Please do not reply To this mail. Rather,
contact
your claims agent whose Credentials are listed above. All staff of WINDFALL
LOTTO, MASCHIL EQUITY & FINANCE (PTY) LTD, and members of their family as
well
As South Africans of all ages are BARRED from this
lottery.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam