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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "the bmw automobile company" (no such lottery exists)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • ",000,000" (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.
  • +34648820561 (Spain, 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.
  • gabbrus.s.a@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR. VALENTINE CABRABO" <jmsavv@info.com>
Reply-To: drvlntncbrb@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:35:26 +0200
Subject: CLEARANCE AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS ON DEPOSIT

BMW AUTOMOBILE COMPANY.
C/Sant Pere, 77, 3a, 46520
Madrid Branch, Spain.

CASH AWARD TO YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT.
Dear Sir/Madam,

The Board of Directors, Members and staff of the International Awareness Promotion Department of the BMW Automobile Company,wishes to congratulate you on your success as one of our TEN(10) STAR PRIZE WINNER in this years BMW Automobile International Awareness Promotion (IAP) held on FRIDAY 10th Of March, 2009 in Spain.

This makes you the proud owner of a brand new BMW 5 Series,M Sport Saloon car and a cash prize of ?1,000,000.00 (One million Euros).In order to redeem your prizes contact the Manager of the Claims Department with the verification form below duely Filled and sent through email or by fax, to the below stated contact information..
00263962534
Your Full Name:..............................

Home And Office Telephone Numbers:...........

Mobile Telephone Number:....................

Contact Address:..............................

Fax Number(Very important):...................................

Nationality:.................................

Occupation:.................................

Sex:......................................

Marital Status:.........................

Date of birth:....................................

State/City:................................

Country:.....................................

BANK TRANSFER OPTION(BANK DATA REQUIRED)

BANK NAME:...............................

BENEFICIARY'S NAME:.......................

ACCOUNT NUMBER:..........................

BANK IBAN:...............................

BANK SWIFT/ROUTING:.......................

CHEQUE OPTION: IF RESIDENCIAL ADDRESS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ADDRESS WHERE CHEQUE WOULD BE SENT TO PLEASE STATE.

REFERENCE ## (ESL-9-10-17-01-06-75)
WINNING ## SPN-41-1-2-14-9-29
BATCH ## BST-44-30-24-1-9-14
TICKET ## 17:30:33:40:42:43 ( BONUS 34)

Consequently, you are to contact the appointed claims agent:
CONTACT NAME: MR. Alfred Alfonso.
CITY/COUNTRY: MADRID, SPAIN.
(WorldWideLotto Claims Agent)
TEL: +34 648-820-561,FAX :+34-911-414-236.
CONTACT EMAIL:gabbrus.s.a@gmail.com

for processing of your claim. All prizes must be claimed within three weeks.


Yours faithfully,
Ms. Maria Jose.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam