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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "national lottery promotion" (no such lottery exists)
  • "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "deadline" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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. 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!
• 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.
  • +447031913389 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Kelvin Foster <claimagent_foster@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 19:59:37 +0100 (BST)
Subject: REQUIRED INFORMATION TO EFFECT PAYMENT


Attention:Award Winner,
We acknowlege the receipt of your email.Congratulations once more from the members of staff of UKNATIONAL LOTTERY PROMOTION.This lottery was a conjoined effort of Microsoft international and the United Nations under the auspices of UKNATIONAL LOTTERY PROMOTIONS.This lottery is aimed at promoting world peace and the use of internet across the world.Participants were drawn randomly from the internet upon which a raffle draw was conducted and lucky winners emerged fortuitously.To facilitate the swift procurement of your winning,you are to fill out the required detail.and return it within 24-72hrs.


This will enhance the verification and subsequent approval of your payment. The deadline set for the collection of winning is ebbing ever so close; hence
you are to act accordingly to instruction stated herein.It is imperative that you keep this winning confidential and surreptitious to avoid any one other than yourself from laying claim to these monies. UK NATIONAL lottery reserves the right to decline payment/transfer if irregularities occur.



Please note that this Verification process usually takes between 24-72 hours, depending on how swiftly you fill out and return the details below. Upon
completion of this Verification Process/Screening, you would be contacted by us with further details on when you shall be receiving your funds in your nominated bank account. requested information in the format below:
With the following information;

Claims Requirements:
1.Name in full----------------------------------------------
2.Address---------------------------------------------------
3.Nationality-----------------------------------------------
4.Age-------------------------------------------------------
5.Occupation------------------------------------------------
6.Phone/Fax-------------------------------------------------
7.Present Country-------------------------------------------
8. Alternate Email Address----------------------------------
Next of Kin-------------------------------------------------

WINNING DATAS
Ref Number--------------------------------------------------
Batch Number------------------------------------------------
Ticket Number-----------------------------------------------
Amount Won--------------------------------------------------
MODE OF PAYMENT IS STRICTLY(PLEASE TIP)
1. Bank Transfer
2.Certified Cheque

Once again congratulations and good luck.
Regards,
Mr Kelvin Foster
Tel:+44-7031913389
Fax:+44-2081816199


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam