419 scam: "NOTIFICATION" <harrisonben9@delphiforums.com> CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary 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)
- "msnwinstonwebber@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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: "NOTIFICATION" <harrisonben9@delphiforums.com>
Reply-To: msn200955@live.com
Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:45:32 +0000
Subject: CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

ATTENTION:

XMAS WINNING NOTIFICATION 2009!!!

We happily announce to you the draw (#471) of the MICROSOFT NATIONAL LOTTERY (Xmas Promo Online Program).Your e-mail address attached to an electronic ticket number: 56475600545 which was assigned to your e-mail address with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers:01 25 26 27 39 49 (bonus no.), 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 Â£250,000 (Two Hundred And Fifty Thousand Pounds Sterling) in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03. This is from a total cash prize of Â£1,000,000 shared amongst the first four (4) lucky winners in this category i.e Match 5 plus bonus.

All participants for the online version were selected randomly from World Wide Web sites through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 unions, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed online. This promotion tooks place on 31st Of October 2009.

Please note that your lucky number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon (5647560054). In view of this, your Â£250,000 (Two Hundred And Fifty thousand pounds sterling) would be released to you by any of our payment offices in Europe. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.

For security reasons, you are advised to keep your information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.
please you are advised to contact the agent with your lucky numbers, this is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.
Please be warned!!!

To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent and provide him with the information below:
Name:
Address:
Marital Status :
Occupation :
Age:
Sex:
Nationality:
Country of residence:
Telephone number:
Cell phone number:
Fax number:
Draw number above:
Email address:

Mr. Winston Webber
Microsoft National Lottery Fiduciary Agent.
Email Address: msnwinstonwebber@live.com

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE MEMBERS AND STAFF OF MICROSOFT NATIONAL LOTTERY.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Carl Martini
Online coordinator for MICROSOFT NATIONAL LOTTERY Sweepstakes International Program.
MICROSOFT INFORMATION DEPARTMENT.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam