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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• 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.
  • +31622718258 (Netherlands, 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.
  • grouplotto555@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "kim m" <kim17930@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:58:01 -0400
Subject: I will be sending you more

CONTACT MR. JAMES PETERSON

  EMAIL LOTTERY SWEEPSTAKES
(ACCREDITED LICENSED AGENT TO GROUPLOTTO INTERNATIONAL)


Ref. Number: 087/109/2208
Batch Number: 4444-7993-JA 4L

Sir/Madam

We are pleased to inform you about the result of the Lottery Winners International
programs held on the 19th of June 2006. Your e-mail address attached to ticket
number 15666040- with serial number 5185-888 drew lucky numbers 2-34-90-57-1101 which
consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum
pay out of US$ 1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to the mix up of some numbers and name's  we ask that you keep your winning
information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted
to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and
unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.

All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawnfrom over 15,000
company and 10,000,000 individual email addresses and names
from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three
years.

This lottery was promoted by the software corporation to compensate some
few individuals with website and email addresses,  we hope that with part of
your winning you will take part in our next year USD15 million internationallottery.
To file for your claim, please contact our FIDUCIAL AGENT:

MR. JAMES PETERSON OF GROUPLOTTO INTERNATIONAL.

TEL: +31-622-718-258

Email: grouplotto555@netscape.net

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 20th of July 2006. After
this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications
please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all
correspondence.  Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our
agent as soon as possible.

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of
our promotional program.

Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Wendy Smith.
Lottery Coordinator.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam