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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:
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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")
  • "processing fee" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
• 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!

Fraud email example:

From: "Donson Alberto" <eurobote_loteria@walla.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: donson@z6.com
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:30:12 +0100
Subject: Award Notification

EL COMBO LOTERIA ESPAÑA
INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS
Avda. PIO XII 4-24 C.P. 280011 Madrid Spain.


Dear sir/madam,
We are pleased to notify you officially of the result of el combo Lottery Winners International program held on the 11th February 2006 as part of our promotional program for the year 2006. Your name attached to ticket number 04195806 with reference number 066-049-204-87563 drew winning numbers 2-0-9-0-7-6+01 and credited to batch number 044-13823705-064, which consequently won in the 2nd category. Via our electronic ticket as stated above. You have therefore been approved for a pay out of a €223,638.00 (Two Hundred and twenty three Thousand six hundred and thirty eight Euros).
To begin your lottery claim, contact your international claims agent MR.FRANCO GOMEZ (FOREIGN OPERATIONS DIRECTOR) of NACHER GLOBAL SEGUROS . Email: francogomez@ozu.es with the filled payment form below for due processing and remittance of your prize money to you through your choice payment option. All prize money must be claimed not later than 20 March 2006. After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed to the Ministry. PAYMENT PROCESSING FORM

1.FULL NAMES: _________________________________________________________________

2.ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________________

ZIP CODE:__________________STATE:________________COUNTRY:____________________

3. SEX: _______ 4.AGE:_______5.MARITAL STATUS:_________6.OCCUPATION:___________

8.TELE:____________________ Fax:___________________ Email:_______________________

9. BATCH NUMBER: ____________________ REF NUMBER: ____________________________

11. NEXT OF KIN: ____________________________________TEL:________________________ PAYMENT OPTIONS: A. BANK TRANSFER________ B. ENDORSED CHECK__________ C. CASH PICK UP_________ IF FUND IS TO BE REMITE THROUGH BANK TRANSFER, WINNER SHOULD ADD BANK DATAS. BANK NAME: _____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________ ACCOUNT NO.:___________________________!
____ SWIFT CODE: ________________________ Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality and press anonymity. You are further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with double claims. Be informed that there is a payment processing fee amount of €200, payable to your Agent to process your payment.Original copies of your lottery receipt and coupon remains with your agent. Your winning amount is insured in your name and will be released for payment by the ministry after data's verification and clarification. Government taxes/commission of the winning amount CAN NOT be deducted from the winning amount because of the INSURANCE BOND covering the winning amount. Congratulation once again from all staff and board members. Sincerely,Fabiola Angel
Donson Alberto
Promotional Director

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam