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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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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")
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• 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.
  • +447045705146 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +448709124913 (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.
  • threeway_courierservice@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "CLAIMS AGENT(BILL STONE)" <claimsagent_directives@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: claimsagent_billstone@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:19:22 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CLEARED FOR PAYMENT,CONTACT THE COURIER AGENCY



HOME OFFICE: 165 FULHAM PALACE RD. W6 8JB UNITED KINGDOM .
(Customer Services)
REFERENCE NUMBER: UK/9420X2/68
BATCH NUMBER: 074/05/ZY369
TICKET NUMBER: 56475600545188

Dear Mr Amd Austerhagen

Please contact Mr. John Thomas of THREEWAY COURIER SERVICE with this email address:

threeway_courierservice@yahoo.co.uk


He would be responsible for sending the original documents and funds to you. This documents and funds will be couriered to you as soon as you adhere to all instructions, from the courier department.

These documents will be forwarded to the Lottery headquarters for final payment of your prize money. Please oblige to follow their instructions so the document can get to your present address on time. Do ensure to file your claims to them with a copy of your verification particulars and scanned copies of driver's licences or any form of national identity.

Endeavour to make your winnings confidential and keep your winnings to yourself during the process of the transfer of your winnings to you,this is part of our security measures.

You can call or email

Mr. John Thomas.

Email: threeway_courierservice@yahoo.co.uk

Phone: +447045705146


Once again congratulation you are to keep us posted concerning your contact with the courier company. Do ask us question if there is any information you need from us or you need our assistant do not hesitate to call us for more information. We are at your services. Have a wonderful day.

Truly yours.

International Claims Agent
Mr Bill Stone
Fax: +44-8709124913
Telphone Number: +447045706318

Website : http://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/results/results.do




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam