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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.

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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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 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.
  • megaclaimcenter@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MRS.NORAH PETERSONS <worldwide@citromail.hu>
Reply-To: megaclaimcenter@netscape.net
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 16:46:39 +0200
Subject: GO FOR PRIZE WINNING


FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR
PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
SELECTLOTTO/DE LOTTO US
Ref.N0: BGN/2300786008/06.
Batch No: 18/38204/LFN
Dear winner,
We are pleased to inform you the result of the computer random selection for the SELECT DE LOTTO/ LOTTORY International program held on 26th July, 2006.Your personal or Company
E-mail Address, attached to ticket number 205-11465886-629, with serial number: 37742-99 drew the lucky numbers: 7-14-17-23-31-44, and consequently won the lottery in the 2nd category.
The email lottery draws was conducted from an exclusive list of 900,000.000 e-mail addresses of individual, companies, and corporate bodies picked by an advanced automated random computer search ballot system from the Internet.
All participants email addresses were extracted/ selected through a computer balloting system drawn from 900,000.000 email Addresses from all over the world as part of our International Promotions Program, which is conducted annually.
Again, it was a promotional program from our software department in promoting the benefit of the Internet usage. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of (One Million Untied Stated Dollars) $1.000.000.00 in cash credited to file REF N0: BGN/2300786008/06.and Batch N0: 18/38204/LFN.
This is from total prize money of Two million Dollars shared among two international lucky Winners in this category.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Your funds have now been deposited and insured with our affiliate security firm for transfer into your nominated bank account either by means of wire transfers through any of our correspondent banks or any other means suitable to you. We also advice that you keep your winning information very confidential as our security policy demands to avoid double claims/impersonation and unwarranted taking advantage of this program by participants.
To begin your claims, you are urgently requested to contact our claims agent (MEGA CLAIM CENTER BV.) Madrid-Spain immediately with your telephone number and fax numbers, and make sure you quote your, REF N0: BGN/2300786008/06. Batch N0: 18/38204/LFN. Your name and contact details in all your correspondence with the finance institute.
Your allocated claims agent details are as follows.
Company Name: MEGA CLAIM CENTER BV.
Officer in Charge: Dr. Gilbert Parker
Tel: + 34 605 535 337
Fax: + 34 940 463 443
E-mail: megaclaimcenter@netscape.net
Remember, all winnings must be claim not later than 18th of August 2006. After this date all unclaimed funds will be return to the promotion company.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Norah Petersons
(Claims Coordinator)
SELECT LOTTO/DE LOTTO

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam