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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "euromillion loteria" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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 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.
  • transcorplotowin@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Jenniffer Rodrigho." <transcorp_loto@excite.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: transcorplotowin@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:41:06 -0800
Subject: CONGRATULATION

Computer Ballot Sweeptakes Email Award 2007.
(Euromillion loteria Espanol Award 2007).
www.loteria.com
Paseo De La castellana
15-89, 28008 Madrid.
Spain ,Branch.
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THIS YEAR EURO MILLION LOTTERY.
Sir/Madam,

We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer balloting held on 17th DEC 2007. This is a Millennium Scientific Computer Game in which email addresse were used. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it. You have been approve for the star prize of €787:000:00 (Seven Hundred And Eighty Seven Thousand Euros Only).To claim your winning prize you are to contact the appointed claim agent as soon as possible for the immediate release of your winnings with the following informations below:

Name:.............................
Age:..............................
Sex:..............................
Address:..........................
Email:............................
Phone:............................
Occupation:.......................
Company:..........................
Country:..........................

Mr Pablo Carson .
Seguros Security Sl,
Mario Cabre Sin Numero,
28016, Madrid -Spain
E-mail:transcorplotowin@hotmail.com

Ref No.ES/037/11/06/MD
Batch No: WNTO/7416/VA/ES
Lucky No: 07-13-31.54-640
Serial No: MUOTI/82536

The Validity period of the winnings is for 20 working days hence you are expected to make your claims immediately, any claim not made before this date will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE E CONOMIA Y HACIENDA .

Note:You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you,This is a protective measure put in place to avoid people applying for your winnig fund,as we have had cases like this before.

Best Regards,
Mrs.Jenniffer Rodrigho.
Program Cordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam