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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:
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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")
• 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!

Fraud email example:

From: "BALLSGAME"<bensong@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:51:08 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: PROCESS YOUR WINNINGS




AWARD / PAYMENT DEPARTMENT

Attention Winner,

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am Greg Benson, the claims agent assigned to your case to help you in the claims process of your funds. I wish to congratulate you and to say you are a lucky person to have won this lottery. All the winners in the Lottery were selected randomly through a computer ballot system from Email addresses.

You are required to fill the form below to facilitate the processing of your claims and certificate which will lead to the payment of your prize to you as required. Duly complete the Prize Award Verification forms to enable this office verify and process your winnings, and have your Won Sum and winning Certificate sent to you.

We strongly advice you to adhere and comply to the instructions above in order to avoid disqualification. Find attached a Prize Award Verification &amp; Payment Form Draft below which you are expected to fill out and return by email attachment to this office within 72hours of receipt. BALLS GAME LOTTERY PROMOTIONS/ PRIZE AWARD VERIFICATION FORM.(PERSONAL DETAILS)

REFERENCE NUMBER:_____________________

BATCH NUMBER:__________________________

FULL NAME( MR. MRS. MISS):__________________________________ COUNTRY:_____________________________________

COMPLETE ADDRESS:_____________________________________

OCCUPATION:_____________________________________

TEL:___________________________

FAX _________________________________

E-MAIL:________________________________

AGE:_________________________

MARITAL STATUS:________________

DATE OF PRIZE WON:______________________

CLAIMANT SIGNATORY DECLARATION: I ............................................................. Declare as the lotto prize winner that all information I have provided for my winning claims are true and correct. I agreed with the instructions in line with the processing and transfer of my Lottery Award Prize.

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Yours Sincerely,

Greg Benson

_______________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam