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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
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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:
  • "fiduciary 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!

Fraud email example:

From: "BRITISH LOTTERY" <britishlotteryprogram@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 08:36:27 +0000
Subject: CLAIMS AGENT

BRITISH LOTTERY HEADQUARTERS:
Customer Service
an Affiliate of THE ROCKEFELLER
FOUNDATION
28 TANFIELD ROAD,
CROYDON.LONDON

Ref:BTL/4910X1/04
Batch: 12/25/0340
Date:27.07.2006

ATTENTION:

I am Mr.Allen Wallace,the fiduciary agent assigned to assist you in the
process,please follow subsequent instructions carefully.

You are required to forward the following details to
facilitate the processing of your claims and thereafter the release of your
winning sum to you in whatever manner you choose.

1. Full names.
2. Residential address.
3. Phone number.
4. Fax number.
5. Occupation.
6. Sex.
7. Age.
8. Nationality.
9.A scanned identification of yourself sent via email.

You are adviced to forward these informations as soon as possible to
enable us attend to your file.

The funds has been deposited safely in a London-based security firm, your
information has to be forwarded to them for their signatory.
You are to choose the mode preferrably to collect your funds:
i. Travel down to London to collect it yourself.
ii. By electronic transfer.

After sending these information, a certificate will be couriered to you
as proof of winning from this office to the security firm.I advice you
keep your winnings confidential until the bankers assent,this is to avoid
unscrupulous elements from taking advantage of the program.

Hearty cheers on your victory in our annual lottery program

Once again,congratulations.

Yours sincerely,
Mr.Allen Wallace.

Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this e-mail and
any attachments may be legally privileged and confidential. If you are
not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any
dissemination,distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly
prohibited.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam