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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "microsoft lottery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "foreign service manager" (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)
  • "cashier's check" (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 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.
  • +31615401054 (Netherlands, 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.
  • meridianfgroup@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "EMAIL MEGA LOTTERY DRAWS" <bbvalottowin2007@europe.com>
Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2007 23:16:43 -0900
Subject: MICROSOFT/MASTER CARD EMAIL LOTTERY WIN NOTIFICATION



MasterCard® / Microsoft® INTERNATIONAL MEGA JACKPOT
BBVA/BARCLAYS BANK
BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
MICROSOFT OFFICE, LISBON, PORTUGAL

REGISTRATION NO: 9027640
INSURANCE NO: MSTC006
REF. NO: MMPT/0476387/JJW01
BATCH NO. 08/PT987KMX

Finally,this email address has brought you an unexpected luck, please read
through this message. Your e-mail address was
selected and confirmed by our co-sponsor Microsoft International, through
their latest software (Vista). You are therefore been
approved by MasterCard Int. /Microsoft PORTUGAL the sum of €1,000,000.00
(One Million Euros). In cash, Credited to a valid cashier's
check, With winning Reg. No. MCIMJ: 5148/4178. Be informed that your prize
has been insured and ready for pay out. All the 8 winners were
selected through the Microsoft computer ballot system (MCBS) drawn from
each continent and from each ISP, by the most powerful
Microsoft LOTTERY Software, as part of our International "E-MAIL"
Promotions Program, to promote the use of MasterCard’s
and newly launched Microsoft Vista all over the World. Further more, to
promote the use of E-mails and E-cards for online payments.

Send the following claims requirements to your claims Agent/administrator
for further instructions see their details below.

Claims Requirements:
1. Full Name:.....................................
2. Address:.......................................
3. Nationality:...................................
4. Age:.......... Date of Birth:.................
5. Occupation:....................................
6. Phone:................Fax:.....................
7. State of Origin:...........Country:............

=========================
Mr. Albert Van Leeman
Foreign Service Manager,
MERIDIAN FINANCE GROUP
Tel: 0031-615-401-054
0031-619-729-725
Fax:0031-847-599-111
EMAIL: meridianfgroup@aim.com
===========================

PROCEEDURES / RIGHTS AND PRECAUTIONS.

1. Contact the Claims Administrator with all your claims requirements well
filled.
2. Your Winning Credit card MasterCard (5148 6547 8940 6543), has been
insured to it real value.
3. Payments are made in Euro/Dollar
4. Any other mail received of such should be reported to the claims
Administrator above. This will help fight scam.
5. Your claims administrator will process your lottery claim according to
our stipulated rules
6. Do not reply this mail, please, contact your claims administrator by
email as given above
7. All prizes should be claimed on or before 21 days (three weeks) after
announcement. Announced today 9th April, 2007

Secretary
Mr. Andrade Pinto Rocha
MasterCard® / Microsoft® Mega Jackpot.


WARNING!!!
ANY MAIL RECIEVED OF THIS SUCH WITH ANY OTHER TRADE MARK OR ADDRESS SHOULD
BE FOWARDED TO
YOUR CLAIMS AGENT IMMEDIATELY; THIS WILL HELP US TO FIGHT SCAM AND LOTTERY
IMPOSTERS. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CO-OPERATION.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam