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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")
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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.
  • +8613422058506 (China, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Angel Zhou-Shi <angelazhou311@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:45:24 +0000
Subject: HELLO!YOU ARE AMONG THE LUCKY WINNERS


ASIA LOTTO PROMOTIONSINTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS SECTION
PRIZE AWARD NOTIFICATION
We are pleased to inform you of the announcement made on December 1st,2007 of winners of the ASIA LOTTERY PROMOTIONS.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 parts of the world as part of our electronicbusiness Promotions Program.
Note that you/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 number 230-365-3071with serial number 710-43 drew the lucky numbers 8, 5, 6, 24, 19, 34 and Bonus number 51 and consequently you won in the second category of the ASIA FORTUNE LOTTO DRAW. Your Winning Ticket Number: 230-365-3071 Your Serial Number: 710-43 Your lucky draw Numbers are: 8, 5, 6, 24, 19, 34 Bonus Number 51 Your INSURANCE Number: FLD718/470D/GMSA
You have therefore been approved for the payment of the sum of US$800,000,00 in cash, which is the winning amount for the Second category winners. This is from the total prize money of US$3,450,000.00 shared among the international winners in the Second category. CONGRATULATIONS!
Please be informed that your CHEQUE of the sum of US$800,000.00 is now with the Bloomberg Finance securities Company insured with your email address which won you this prize, therefore you should contact(BLOOMBERG FINANCE SECURITIES) your agent and give them your full names so that your cheque will be re-insured under your full names.
To begin your claim, please contact your claims agent immediately.
DAVID ZHANG FOREIGN SERVICES MANAGER BLOOMBERG FINANCE SECURITIES TIANHE BEI LU,GUANGZHOU,CHINA
EMAIL:davezhang001@yahoo.comTel:+8613422058506
For security reasons, we advice all winners to keep this information confidential from the public until your claim is processed and your prize released to you.This is part of our security protocol to avoid dual claiming andunwarranted taking advantage by non-participants or unofficial personnel.
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 yourclaims agent.
Congratulations! once again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.
Sincerely, MRS.ANGELA ZHOUVICE PRESIDENT INT.PROMOTIONS

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam