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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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")
• 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!

Fraud email example:

From: Mr James Cole toyota <claimsdepartment12@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 17:48:13 +0100
Subject: Dear winner,



Lottery DepartmentToyota Car Promotions25 Atlantic Avenue ErlangerUnited KingdomCVR-nr. 34574565.

Dear winner,


When contacting me, please provide me with your secret pin code TY7448500 and your reference number 799BV90.You are also advised to provide him with the under listed information as soon as possible:CLAIMS REQURIEMENTS:1. Full names:2. Residential address:3. Phone number:4. Fax number:5. Occupation:6. Sex:7. Age:8. Nationality:9. Present Country:10.Next of kin name/address:If you do not contact your claims agent within 7 working days of this notification,your winnings would be revoked. Winners are advised to keep their winning details/information from the public to avoidfraudulent claim (IMPORTANT) pending the transfer/claim by Winner.Accept my hearty congratulations once again!RegardsMr James Cole..
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam