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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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")
• 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.
  • +447031930662 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Steve Amstrong <steveamstrong10@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 10:55:03 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CLAIMS PROCCESSING FORM...


CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE MEMBERS AND STAFF OF BRITISH LOTTERY.
Claims Agent for BRITISH LOTTERY
Sweepstakes International Program.
NATIONAL LOTTERY.

Mr Steve Amstrong


CUSTOMER SERVICE
CLAIMS PROCESSING FORM



1. FULL NAMES:_______________________________________________________

2.NATIONALITY:_______________________________________________________

3. DATE OF BIRTH________________________________________

4. SEX:_________________________

5. MARITAL STATUS:_____________________________________

6.CONTACT ADDRESS:_____________________________________________

7.TELEPHONE NUMBER:___________________

8.OCCUPATION:_________________________________


9.WINNING NUMBER:_________________________________________

10. CITY_________________________________________

11. COUNTRY; ____________________________________


12. ZIP/POSTAL CODE_____________________________________________

Upon reciept of the duly requested data, your certificate will be processed and sent to you. This is to be your proof of winning from this office. So that your Winnings can be release to you. Once again congratulations.
Warm regards,
Mr Steve Amstrong.
Claims Agent,
British Lottery International.
Tel: 44-703-193-0662



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam