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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
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• 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.
  • info_skyexpressdelivery002@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Paul Wilson <microsoft_ukagent239@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2007 15:28:49 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT THE DELIVERY COMPANY TO CLAIM YOUR FUNDS_______________________________Chanchala Prasadlingam



MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT LOTTERY PROMOTIONS, EMAIL AWARD PROMO:
UNITED KINGDOM.


ATTENTION: Chanchala Prasadlingam ,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

This is to inform you that you have fully been cleared a winner of the MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT LOTTERY PROMOTIONS. I am happy to inform you that i have forwarded your Original Certificate and your Certified bank cheque e.t.c to our affiliate COURIER COMPANY SKY EXPRESS DELIVERY SERVICES
Find below the details of the COURIER COMPANY

SKY EXPRESS DELIVERY



CONTACT PERSON: MR HANKS CLARKTON
DISPATCH OFFICER
E-MAIL: info_skyexpressdelivery002@yahoo.co.uk



You are advised to send the courier company an e-mail to their e-mail address (above) for their courier cost. When contacting them, you are to include this order number (below) as your subject.

Please you are advised to write down the order number and save it for future reference. ORDER NUMBER: MJ/9420X/05.


Note: You are to Quote your complete names , your direct phone number and ref number to enable them honor your letter. Once again i say congratulations. Feel free to inform me with your dealings with the courier company should incase any delay.

You are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your money is remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.

This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned.


Mr.Paul Wilson,
Claims Agent,
MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT LOTTERY.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam