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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "overseas claims unit" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "certified bank draft" (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. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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!
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +447045731635 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +448716619356 (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.
  • united_airexservice@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "British Lottery Inc." <britishlotteryclaimsagent27@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:44:31 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT THE COURIER COMPANY FOR YOUR WINNING CLAIMS



FROM THE GENERAL DESK OFFICE
BRITISH NATIONAL LOTTERY
OVERSEAS CLAIMS UNIT BOARD.

Date"31.July.2007
Ref : BTL/4910X1/07
Batch No:12/25/0304
Fax:+44 871 661 9356

ATTENTION:Ms Adelina Kuhn,
How are you today ?we are in receipt of your last mail in our office,
We understand you are not in london ,so you are to contact any of this courier company who will deliver your winning claims to you in your country.

Because we have tag and comfirm your Original Certificate and your Certified bank Draft to the Courier Company.

Find below the details of the DISPATCH OFFICE to contact person In-charge,for your Claims Release.

UNITED AIR EXPRESS INC
ADDRESS OF HEAD OFFICE:Link House,
1C CHURCH STREET,
WHITCHURCH, HANTS,RG28 7AD
ENGLAND.
NAME:MR CHRISTOPHER WILS (dispatch officer)
EMAIL:united_airexservice@yahoo.co.uk
TEL:+44 704 573 1635
TEL:+44 703 590 6354
FAX:+44 871 661 931 {You can CALL}

You are advised to send your winning,TICKET NUMBER,SERIAL NUMBER and your CONTACT ADDRESS as your subject.Please you are adviced to write all the informations Regarding your Winning,
As to show Evidence of proof to your winning.
(1) Winning Number:.........
(2) Ref Number :................

Or you come over to our head office in uk to deem your winnings,since you outside uk,you should let us know your arrangement,and the date of arriver, so that our officials can come and pick you up at the Airport,Alternatively you can also send your details to the Courier Company,so they can deliver your winning to your location.through DHL COURIER COMPANY or FEDEX COURIER COMPANY.paying for your delivery charges, ON YOUR SHIPMENT.

Note: you are to Quote your complete names,Ref/Batch Numbers,winning amount and your direct phone number so that,they can honour your letter.
Once again i say Congratulations !!!
Warm Regards,
Mr Victor Johnson
Claims Agent,
LOTTORY OFFICE 2007.



77635 476378 255667460
British International Lottery
Overseas Claims Unit Board
Mr. Victor johnson Esq








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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam