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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
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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")
  • "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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. )
  • "cheques " (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!
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +34680658644 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "info client" <infoclienteuros@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:18:02 +0200
Subject: EURO MILLONES DEPARTMENT S.L(URGENT NOTIFICATION!!)


*EURO MILLONES DEPARTMENT S.L.**
**CALLE ALCALA DE OPORTO 19**
**45600 MADRID,SPAIN*

*TEL: 0034-680-658-644*

*FAX: 0034-911-817-332*

*http://euromillones.combinacionganadora.com/2007/06/08/** *

* *

* *

* *

* *

*EMAIL-LOTTERY TERMS AND CONDITIONS GOVERNING PRIZE AWARD **
** **************************** ******************************
****************************** ********************





*ATTN: Wilburn;*





* We acknowledge the receipt of your mail and write to inform you that we
don't run a SCAM business organization, as our organization is well known
and reputable with good standard. We would not spoil our good name for
998euros, we are aware of the internet fraud going on lately, and we have
sent all REPORTS to the special forces(Interpol) to work and get rid of this
HUNDLUMS. Please be informed and ** assured that inline with our principles
of efficiency, transparency and satisfaction, we will handle all
verification with the highest level of professionalism and discretion to
ensure you receives your winning prize within the shortest possible time, if
you follow our instructions carefully.*

* *

*For you to be sure that you are dealing with the right organization, we
sent to you our online database system where you can check and verify your
winning information's, **
http://euromillones.combinacionganadora.com/2007/06/08/*<http://euromillones.combinacionganadora.com/2007/06/08/>
*)** **and there you will find the date this promotional programme was held
(08/06/2007), your result winning number (1-15-17-25-45-2-8) and prize sum
of €1.298.404, 07.** Which FRAUDSTERS cannot send that you.*

* *

*Once more we explain to you again that you received a winning notification
based on a computer balloting sample carried out on internet user, this
gives email-user opportunities of winning prize BASED ON email addresses
randomly selected by a computer balloting device system and your email was
luckily picked and you were contacted to process and claim your prize. *

* *

*You are asked to pay the sum of 998 to get the VETT/ APPROVAL documents on
your NAMES, because your winning prize is still attached to your winning
email and also your winning prize cannot be deducted due to it be HIGHLY
INSURED TO ITS REAL VALUE OF €1.298.404, 07 BEFORE YOU WON THE PRIZE AND
THIS MAKE YOUR WINNING PRIZE IMPOSSIBLE TO BE DEDUCTED UNTIL YOUR PRIZE
MONEY HAS BEEN FULLY PROCESSED AND TRANSFERED TO YOU. This is in accordance
with the financial commission regulations on payment of
international/foreign lottery to protect and avoid misappropriation of
funds. *

* *

*For the processing of your winning prize to commence and be transferred,**
**the payment processing form sent to you needs to be filled out and sent
back to this office via scanned email attachment or by fax with a copy of
your identity (international passport/drivers license with your
VETT/APPROVAL charges of **€998** which should be paid via WESTERN UNION
MONEY TRANSFER SERVICE OR MONEYGRAM TRANSFER SERVICE which is faster, easier
and reliable in favour of our Broker/Accountant officer information's and
address Below: *

*
ACCOUNTANT OFFICER INFORMATION:**
FRIST NAME: ABBEY
LAST NAME: WESTERN
ADDRESSE: CALLE ALCALA DE OPORTO 19*

*POST CODE: 45600**
CITY, COUNTRY: MADRID , SPAIN .*

*. *

* *

*You are requested to pay the sum of **€998 for the HIGH COURT to process,
approve and get the VETT/APPROVAL DOCUMENT on your NAMES in order for the
transfer department to to issue out a certified cheque on your name or make
transfer to your nominated bank account. This is because your winning prize
has not been officially approved in your NAMES; your winning prize has only
been approved to your winning email address. *

* *

*Without the VETT/APPROVAL DOCUMENT DOCUMENTS your prize cannot be
transferred to you and also a prize winning certificate cannot be issued on
your name as well. This is because the corresponding banks that will issue
you a cheques your needs this documents i.e. (VETT/APPROVAL DOCUMENT
DOCUMENTS ON YOUR NAME AND NOT ON YOUR WINNING EMAIL). *

* *

*As soon as this requirements listed above is been sent down to this office,
immediately your winning prize would be sent down to you via courier
(CHEQUE) or transferred via bank transfer.*

* *

*Failure to comply with all the requirements, terms and conditions, will
automatically disqualify you from getting the prize and your winning prize
will be returned back as unclaimed funds. **ALSO YOU CAN CONTACT YOUR CLAIMS
OFFICER MR VINCENTE SANCHEZ ON TEL: 0034-680-658-644.***

* *

* *

*Once again congratulations!!! *



* *

* By Management of Euro Millones S.L*

*
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
This message may contain privileged and confidential information and is
intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is
addressed. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, you are
hereby notified that any unauthorized use, dissemination or copying of this
message or the information contained in it or attached to it is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please delete it and
immediately notify us.
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
*



* *

* *

* *

*NOTE: When you get to WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER / MONEY GRAM TRANSFER
OFFICE. Tell them you want to use this service to send money to Spain, and
immediately you would be issued a payment form to fill, which indicates the
senders name and addressee (which are yours). And also the receivers name,
which is our accountant officer information's. You would be paying the sum
of €998 (euros) which would be paid out here in euros within 10-15mins.
Please do make sure a prove of the payment slip is given to you with money
digit transfer control number (MTCN), which you would be sending down to us
via fax alongside with the processing form and a valid prove of your
identity. If you have any problems at the western union / money
gram point, do call your claims agent on **0034-680-658-644*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam