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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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 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.
  • claimagent_nigeria@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "CONNECTICUT LOTTERY" <ct_loto2006@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: claimagent_nigeria@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:08:04 +0000
Subject: YOUR EMAIL WON THE LOTTERY!!!

Customer Service
Connecticut Lottery Corporation
34 Creek Road Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria
LAGOS NIGERIA, CT 06051
BATCH No-W2861137/ST
SERIAL No - 0016827866217
WINNING NOTIFICATION:
 
We happily announce to you the draw of the Connecticut Lottery
International programs organised by the united state of America held on
the 10th of July 2006 in Nigeria. Your e-mail address attached to
ticket number: 644 79543465 B44 has subsequently won you the lottery in
the 3rd category. you are a winner of the International Connecticut
Lottery Corporation where winners are listed after payment.
You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of
US$3,500,000.00 in cash credited to file REF No.: PLI/4080318306/04.
This is from total prize money of US$35,000,000.00 shared among the six
(10) international winners in the category C.
Ref Number of Connecticut Lottery sweepstake draws - 07 ,18 , 37 , 39
, 46 , 49 , 56.
 
From over 1000000 Email of individuals and company extracted through
the world wide web via computer ballot system your Email - attached to
ticket number 64479543465B44 with Connecticut Lottery sweep stake draw
ref number 07 ,18 , 37 , 41 , 46 , 48 , 56 . Scored 5 over 7 and won in
the third category.
This promotion takes place only for this season before play coupon
begins.

In view of this, your US$3,500,000.00 (Three Million Five Hundred
United States Dollars) would be released to you by our security firm in
Nigeria . Our Nigeria agent will immediately commence the proccess to
facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our America
booklet representative office in NIGERIA as indicated in your play
coupon.

For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning
information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted
to
you by the paying bank. This is part
of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted
abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. Please be warned.
To file for your claim, please contact our NIGERIA payment agent .
 
MR WHALE SMITH
 
Email :claimagent_nigeria@yahoo.com
 
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, you are to contact Mr.
Whale Smith with followings details below:
 
. Your full name, telephone number, contact address , Age and
vocation.
 
. Quote your Ticket, Batch,and serial number in any correspondences
with us or our designated agent
 
Congratulations, once more from all members and staffs of this program.
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL, CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT DIRECTLY.@
Email Adress:claimagent_nigeria@yahoo.com
 
Best Regards,
Mrs Jane Gilbert.
Zonal Coordinator.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam