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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:

• 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")
• 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.
  • santaluciaoffice@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: EURO MILLIONS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL 2006 <millionlottery@casinomail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 12:56:54 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU HAVE WON


FROM: INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REFERENCE: 67/80/IPD
BATCH: EGGS-541-623-782:

WINNING NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE
Sir/Madam,
We are happy to inform you of the result of the Euro Millions Lottery International Winners E-mail programs held on the 24TH OF JUNE and the result where released on the 26TH OF JULY 2006, your E-mail address attached to ticket number 653-908-321-675 with serial main number 345-790-241-671 drew lucky star numbers 34-32-90-43-32 which consequently won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of 1.000.000.00 Euro.(One Million Euros)in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names we ask that you keep your winning confidential until your award has been processed and your funds remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claims and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants all participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 100,000 companies , 50,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world as part of International " E-Mail"Promotions program.
This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Bill Gates, the Co-Founder of Microsoft, the world's largest software company in order to enhance and promote the use of Internet Explorer Users and Microsoft-wares around the globe this promotional program takes place once in three years we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our end of year 50 Millions Euro International Lottery.
To file in claims for this prize winnings Award please contact the assigned claim agent officer as soon as possible for the immediate release of your Winning Award.
DR.TOM BLATT & CO. LEGAL/SOLICITOR,(CLAIM AGENT)
SANTA LUCIA SECURITY COMPANY ESPANA.
Email: santaluciaoffice@netscape.net
Remember, all winning award must be claimed not later than two weeks after this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake of program.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence with the claim agent
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent.
We say congratulations once more from our member’s of staff and management for being part of our promotional program.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs,Comfort A. Jose.
Director /Lottery Coordinator.
N.B:
1.All winners under the age of 18 are automatically Dis-qualified.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam