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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +22993417046 (Benin, probably a 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.
  • treasurydeptoffice02@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "unclaimedlotto1@terra.es" <unclaimedlotto1@terra.es>
Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2006 17:55:12 +0200 (MEST)
Subject: UNCLAIMED LOTTO PRIZE PAYMENT NOTICE


INTERNATIONAL LOTTO COMMISSION
Juan Hurtado De Mendoza 6D 28044,
Cotonou Republic du Benin

UNCLAIMED LOTTO PRIZE PAYMENT NOTICE

Attention To The Owner Of This Email Address.

Winner in the 2nd category of our Euroafric free Net Lottery Promotional award draws held December 2005.

I am writing in respect to your lotto winning prize of$715,810.00(Seven hundred and fifteen thousand eight hundred and ten US Dollars only) which you won through the email-ballot draws in our Euroafric Lotto Award in 2005 in the second category prize winnings category.

We wish to inform you that your total prize money of $715,810.00 has been returned to us by our Lotto claims agent as unclaimed prize after their initial letter to your address for your payment was not successful.

You are here by requested to contact our Treasury Office on telephone +22993417046 or 0022993417046 and e-mail:( treasurydeptoffice02@yahoo.fr) for your immediate payment.Our Treasury officer's name is Mr.Gary Ferguson,so refer this to him and contact him immediately for your unclaimed lotto prize payment to you.

You should contact our Treasury Officer as directed above for your payment, and do notify me as soon as you received your payment from our Treasurer.

Thanks,

Mr H.Effenberg.
President; Int'l Lotto Commission.





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam