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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:
  • "claim 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!

Fraud email example:

From: marriam lewis <g_l003@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 10:58:33 +0200
Subject: winning notification



GLOBAL OMEGA FLASH LOTTERY SABC BUILDINGAUCKLAND PARK 2006, JOHANNESBURGREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (Customer Services) Ref: SA/9420X2/68 Batch: 074/05/ZY369 FINAL WINNING NOTIFICATION: Dear Arie, RE: BONUS LOTTERY PROMOTION PRIZE AWARDS WINNING NOTIFICATION We are pleased to notify you the draw (999) of the GLOBAL OMEGA FLASH LOTTERY, Online Sweepstakes International Lottery Program held for the second half of the year 2007 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. The result of our computer draw (#978) selected your name and email address attached to e-ticket number: 56475600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers:03 10 21 22 23 25 (26 Bonus Ball), which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category i.e. match 5 plus bonus. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £5,856,000(Five Million Eight Hundred AND Fifty Six Thousand Pounds Sterling) in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03.This is from a total cash prize of £36,533,000 shared amongst the first Six (6) lucky winners in this category i.e. Match 5 plus bonus. Your prize award has been insured in your name and is ready for claims. To begin your claims therefore, you are advised to expeditiously contact our licensed and accredited claim agent for Overseas Lottery Winners within a period of 21 days (date of this email inclusive) for the processing of your winning and remittance to your designated bank account or issuing of your cheque after all statutory obligations have been satisfactorily dispensed with. This promotion takes place TWICE a year. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our booklet representative office in South Africa as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your £5,856,000(Five Million Eight Hundred AND Fifty Six Thousand Pounds Sterling) would be released to you by any of our payment offices in SOUTH AFRICA. Please be informed that claim must be submitted within 21days of receiving this message and prize that are not claim within 90days period may be forfeited and diverted to charity without futher notice. Our agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact her. You may wish to establish contact via e-mail with the particulars presented below citing the batch and reference numbers to this letter. GLOBAL OMEGA FLASH LOTTERY : WINNING PRIZE CLIAMS- LOTTERYCLAIMS APPLICATION FORM-C (Prize Winning Receipt) [FULLNAME OFWINNER]................................................................ [CURRENTADDRESS]......................................................................... [COUNTRY/REGION]................................ [STATE/PROVINCE]...................................... [AGE]............. [SEX]................................... [MARTIALSTATUS].............................. [OCCUPATION]................................................................. [CURRENTEMAIL]......................................[TEL/FAX]....................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ENTRY WINNING INFORMATION----------------------------------------------------------------------------------[BATCH NO].................................. [REF. NO.].................................... CLAIMANTSIGNATORY DECLARATION DECLARE THAT I HAVE NEVER RECIEVED ANY SETTLEMENT FROM THE GLOBAL OMEGA FLASH LOTTERY PROMOTION PRIZE AWARDS WINNING NOR ANY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY FILLED CLAIM ON MY BEHALF TO GLOBAL OMEGA FLASH LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION. I, THEREFORE AUTHORIZE CROSS LOTTERY S.A, LOTTERY PROMOTION PRIZE AWARDS WINNING PROMOTION TO ACT ON MY BEHALF IN THE PROCESSING AND TRANSFER MY PRIZE AS INSTRUCTED BY ME. Our claiming agent details whom you will contact to assist you and claim your prize is as follow:- CROSS LOTTERY S.A 225 JANSMUTH AVENUE AUCKLAND PARK, JOHANNESBURGSOUTH AFRICAContact Person: Dr. MRS SUZAN SMITHEmail: crosslottery_agent01@yahoo.comTEL/FAX; 0027 72 6362 885Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so desire. Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. CONGRATULATIONS!!! At your disposal, we remain. Very Truly Yours, Mrs MARRIAM LEWIS
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam