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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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• 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:
  • ",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)
• 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.
  • +31644084302 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: alumni <alumni@konstfack.se>
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 19:22:17 +0200
Subject: ONLINE PRIZE WINNER



ONLINE PRIZE WINNER
Koningin Julianaplein 21, 2391 BD
Denhaag, The Netherlands
(Award affiliate with Subscriber Agents).
From: Mrs T. Groenwoud (Award Co-ordinator)
website: www.lotto.nl


The gaming board (LOTTO.NL) is pleased to inform you of the result of the online award program held on the the 30th of September 2008. Your E-mail address attached to NL number # 2972117 and online number # 1453128, was awarded the sum of $1,500,000.00 US Dollars. This program is organized to promote special internet products like online banking etc.


This draws was conducted formally and winners were selected through a special internet ballot system from 40,000 individuals and companies E-mail addresses.


To avoid double claim you are strictly advised to keep your winning numbers confidential. Details on how to transfer your award to you will be given when you contact the paying bank. For immediate release of your winnings please complete the form below and send it to the E-mail address of the paying bank stated below:


*************************************************************
(i) Name:
(ii) Contact telephone and fax numbers :
(iii) Contact Address :
(iv) Winning numbers (NL number # 2972117, online number # 1453128)
(v) Awarded amount; $1,500,000.00 US Dollars
(Vi) Awarded E-mail address
(vii) Notification date: 4th of October, 2008
*************************************************************


Contact person: Online Account officer
E-mail: direkt_bnk01@live.nl
Tel: Tel: +31 644 084 302
Calling hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm


NOTE: If English is not your first language and you have problems understanding this e-mail, please visit this website(http://babelfish.altavista.com/), you will be able to translate this mail in several other languages.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam