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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
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• 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:
  • "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.
  • +447031820372 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +448704786574 (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.
  • paulrobinson@webmail.co.za

Fraud email example:

From: ukmillionlottoreports@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 11:12:50 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS

UKMILLION LOTTERY AWARD
Address: 21 florince Rd,
New cross,Gb12
London .
United kingdom Branch.
Ref. Nº: UK/007/05/12/MAD.
Batch. Nº: GHT/2907/333/05.


YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE LOTTERY.

Congratulation! We are pleased to inform to you that your are a decleared winner of star prize of # 667,248.26. (SixHundred And Sixty Seven Thousand,Two Hundred And Fourty Eight Pounds twenty Six Cents).

Your email success in our computer balloting sweepstake held on 15th February 2006. This is a millennium scientific computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it.Your email address attached to ticket star number (4-5) drew the UKMILLION lucky numbers 3-19-26-49-50 which consequently won the draw in the Second category.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE AWARDS COMMITEE:
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you.This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may tell as we have had cases like this before.
Please send your full Name,Home and Office Tel & Fax Number, Mobile Tel Number, winning ticket number,reference numbers and amount won information to Your claims Agent on the infos below.
Mr.Paul Robinson
E-mail:paulrobinson@webmail.co.za
Tel :+44-703-1820-372
Fax:+44-870-4786-574


Rememer, all winning must be claimed not later than one month.Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch number in all correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.

Once again congratulations.

Best regard,
Mrs. Emily Simon,
(Lottery coordinator).


This promotional program takes place every year.It was promoted and sponsored by THE MANAGEMENT OF THE STAATSLOTERIJ COMPANY B.V AND SULTAN OF BRUNEI,we hope with part of your winning, you will take part on our next year €5 million international lottery.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam