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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
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claims agent" (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. 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.
  • +447045703548 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Robert Kings <drawind1152@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 03:23:25 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Claim Processing


Attn: Ms Nordika Pabsthagen,

PROCEDURES.

On behalf of the entire Staff and the last draw of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY, Online Sweepstakes International Lottery Program, I say congratulations to you for being a Winner in this 2nd category. We have received your e-mail with utmost delight in the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY and the few eligible winners contacted personally.

Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from a pool of over 25,000 names of distinguished professionals drawn from Europe, America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle-East, parts of Africa, and North & South America as part of our international promotions programme conducted annually to encourage prospective overseas entries. We hope with part of your prize awards, you will take part in our subsequent lottery jackpots.

However, we have been assigned as the claims agents who would assist all Winners in this 2nd category in the processing procedures and ultimately to the payment of your Sweep Stake Lotto £2,500,000.00(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling) in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03.This is from a total cash prize of £16,533,022 shared amongst the first Six (6) lucky winners in this category i.e. Match 5 plus bonus. After your claims Documents has been successfully processed and legalized and funds approved for payout by the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY Payment Service.

In line with the governing rules of claim, you are requested to furnish us the following information

1. Full name.
2. Address.
3. Occupation.
4. Tel/Fax.

Do understand that, this is done to ensure that, we are dealing with the rightful Winner in this 2nd category to avoid double claiming by non winners.

In receipt of the required information, Claims Appraisal Form would be sent to you via e-mail attachment or fax. You would be required to fill and return a copy of the filled Form, for further processing and legalization of your claims. After your claims documents has been verified and confirmed as required in this 2nd category your winning funds will be sent to you via a certified Bank Cheque or Bank Draft.

Furthermore note that, all funds should be claimed not latter than 21 Days After the notification date, all unclaimed Funds will be returned to the British Gaming Board for the next Sweepstake which will be conducted soon.

We will anticipate your response soon.

Yours faithfully,
Robert Kings.
Tel: +44-704-570-3548
Tel: +44-702-406-4853
Fax: +44-709-288-6194

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam