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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:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "foreign service manager" (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)
  • "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.
  • +27735584022 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • bonganizulusa@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: LERATO KHUMALO <leratokhumalo04@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:02:44 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE WON THE SUM OF US$1,450,000.00



PLATINUM LOTTERY INTERNATIONALSECOND QUARTER OF THE YEAR 2007YOU ARE THE WINNER OF THE COMPUTER PROMOTIONAL DRAW.

THIS MESSAGE IS FROM THE CO-ORDINATOR,INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT

PLATINUM LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HAVE WON, THE SUM OF US$1,450,000.00ON THE COMPUTER BALLOT SYSTEM.

PLEASE CONTACT: (ENGR BONGANI ZULU)YOUR CLAIM AGENT FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT:PHONE NO. +27 73 558 4022 EMAIL: bonganizulusa@hotmail.com(ZENITH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT SA)PRIZE AWARD NOTIFICATION

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement made today the October 2007 about winners of the PLATINUM LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS, as part of our promotional draws. Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 2,500,000 email addresses of individuals and companies from all part of the world as part of our electronic business Promotions Program.

Note that your email address qualified for the draw, as a result of your visiting various Websites we are running the e-business promotions for You/Your Company email address, attached to ticket numbers: 100-309-7482, with serial number 513-10 drew the lucky numbers 3, 8, 13,22, 27, 41 and Bonus number 12 and consequently you have won in the Second Category.
Your Winning Ticket Number: 100-309-7482

Your Serial Number: 513-10

Your Lucky Draw Numbers are: 3, 8, 13, 22, 27, 41

Bonus Number: 12

Your INSURANCE Number: PLI-433/453L/GMSA

You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of US$1,450,000.00 in cash, which is the winning payout for Second category winners. This is from the total prize money of US$10,150,000.00 shared among the seven international winners in the Second category.

CONGRATULATIONS!Please be informed that your (PRIZE) US$1,450,000.00 is now with Zenith Capital Management and Security Company insured with your email address that won this prize, therefore you should contact (ZENITH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT SA) your agent and give them your full names so that they will re-insure your CHEQUE under your full names. To begin your claim, please call your claim agent immediately, Phone number: +27 73 558 4022 and also to send an urgent message to ENGR BONGANII ZULU through email address: bonganizulusa@hotmail.com

ENGR BONGANI ZULUFOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER, ZENITH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT SA. # 106 SMITH STREET, BALFOUR PARK, 0083 P.O. Box 328, BALFOUR JOHANNESBURG 2001 SOUTH AFRICA. TEL: +27 73 558 4022
EMAIL: bonganizulusa@hotmail.com

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers and other information provided above and below in every one of your correspondences with your claims agent.

REFERENCE NUMBER: GML-S343-KKT-8811

BATCH NUMBER: 56T-DTH78-SAR99

Congratulations once again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.

Yours sincerely,

MRS. LERATO KHUMALO(CO-ORDINATOR)PLATINUM LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL. 4th Floor APEX TOWER P.O. Box 18534, #36 Empire Road.Sandton.Johannesburg, South Africa.

PLATINUM LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL GOES INTERNATIONAL AS THE 2010 WORLD CUP WILL BE HOSTED BY SOUTH AFRICA.

THIS PROGRAM IS SPONSURED BY: SOUTH AFRICAN LOTTO AUTHORITY AND SUPPORTED BY: (F餩ration Internationale de Football Association) FIFA SUPPORT
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam