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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• 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.
  • anchoriafa@aim.com

Fraud email example:

From: mariano jaun <mariano@mariano6.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:36:32 +0100 (CET)
Subject: CLAIM


EUROPEAN PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
MADRID-SPAIN BRANCH.
REF:EL3/9318/04
BATCH:8/163/EL.
Attn: Dear Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the
Lottery Winners International programs held on the
18th november 2006.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: EL-23133 with serial Number: EL-123542, batch number: 8/163/EL-35,
lottery Ref number: EL-9318 and drew lucky numbers
7-1-8-36-4-22 which consequently won in the 3nd
category, you have therefore been approved for a
lump sum pay out of 200,000.00 Euro (two Hundred Thousand Euro)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask
that you keep your Winning information confidential
until your claims has been Processed and your money
Remitted to you. This is part of our Security
protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted
abuse of This program by some participants. All
participants were selected through a computer
ballot system drawn from over 400,000 company and
200,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all
over the world.
This promotional program takes place every year.
This lottery was Promoted and sponsored by a
group of successful electronic dealers. we hope with
part of your winning, you will take part in our next
year 20 million Euro international lottery. To file for
your claim, please Contact our paying officer:
Contact Person: Mr. Evan Carlos
Tel: +34658073220
Email:anchoriafa@aim.com
Please, note that you will be required to pay for the issuance of your winning certificate.Remember, all winning must be claimed notlater than 15th of december 2006.After this date all unclaimed
funds will be included in the next stake.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and
complications Please remember to quote your reference number and
batch numbers in all correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address
do inform our agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff
and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
yours Sincerely,
Mrs. mariano juan

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam