419 scam: BMW OFFICE <bmw_group_company_claims2007@yahoo.co.uk> CONGRATULATIONS!!

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

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: BMW OFFICE <bmw_group_company_claims2007@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 14 May 2007 14:10:54 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!

Attn:Gaelle Schwab,

I want to inform you that you are one of our lucky winniers in this years' BMW AutomobileInternational Awareness Promotion
IAP held on Tuesday 1st of May 2007 in London.
Please you are advise to send down your winning requirement as stated in the you received.
these are your Reference Number,Ticket number,Serial number.
Please them imediately you get this mail.Have a nice day and congratulation once again.

Regards,
Mr Mike Spincer,
Claims Manager

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam