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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:

• 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:
  • "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "overseas claims unit" (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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. )
• 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.
  • +447031966065 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • claims_kyle@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BMW ONLINE GAMMING" <claims_dept_3@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 21:41:31 -0600
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

The National Lottery
Tolpits Lane
Watford, Herts
WD18 9RN
UNITED KINGDOM
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369

Dear Lucky Winner,
 
RE: BONUS LOTTERY PROMOTION PRIZE AWARDS WINNING NOTIFICATION
 
We are please to notify you of the result of our computer draw (#1187) of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY Online Sweepstakes International Lottery Program held on  5 May 07. Our Computer draw (#1187) selected your name and email address attached to electronic-ticket number: 56475600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 which drew the lucky numbers: 08-09-19-34-47-04, which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category, that is Match 5 plus bonus. You can visit our online web result checker http://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/results/winCheck/winCheckerStart.do
to verify your prize online with your numbers: 08-09-19-34-47-04. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of One Hundred and Thirty One Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty Six British Pounds Sterling (£131,136) in cheque credited to file KTU/9023118308/03 upon verification.
 
In order to claim your winnings you are to send the following information:
1) Draw Number
2) Serial Number     
3) Lucky Numbers4) Amount won
5) Full Names
6) Sex
7) Age
8) Country(where you live)
to Our European agent who will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him. You may wish to establish contact via e-mail with the contact information below for quick verifications and release of funds.
 
Overseas Claims Unit
United Kingdom Lottery Fiduciary
Contact Person: Mr Gerald Kyle
Email: claims_kyle@yahoo.com
Tel: +447031966065 / +447031822158
Fax: +448704799693 / +448704799698
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
At your disposal, we remain.
Very Truly Yours,
Mr. Hollis Brian

The National Lottery
Tolpits Lane
Watford, Herts
WD18 9RN
UNITED KINGDOM

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam