419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "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.
- +447011198224 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- girish_practical@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: =?windows-1256?B?TWljcm9zb2Z0riBBd2FyZCBDbGFpbXMgRGVwYXJ0bWVudA==?=
<admin@microsftawds.co.cc>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:15:17 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?RE:_MICROS?= =?windows-1256?Q?OFT_VERIFI?=
=?windows-1256?Q?CATION_FOR?= =?windows-1256?Q?M_FILL_AND?=
=?windows-1256?Q?_RETURN=FE=FE=FE?= =?windows-1256?Q?=FE=FE?=

Microsoft Award Team
10 Great Pulteney Road,
London,W1F9NB,

United Kingdom
Claims Verification Department.

Dear Lucky Winner,

I am in receipt to your mail,I am Mr. Samuel Wilbeck your Microsoft Promotion Fiduciary Agent, and my duty is to lead you through the process of claiming your winning prize of 500,000.00 Pounds in the on going British Microsoft Promotional Award programme and make sure it is claimed by the rightful owner of this email address (girish_practical@yahoo.com)

In other for me to proceed with your winning claim process,you are kindly adviced to fill our form below to enable me proceed with your winning claim process.This is for security reason and also to avoid unwarranted claming of winnings by any third party.

THIS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE BENEFICIARY OF THE STATED FUND, FOR VERIFICATION BEFORE TRANSFER.

(1) BENEFICIARY FIRST NAME_______________
(2) BENEFICIARY LAST NAME_______________
(3) NATIONALITY_________________________
(4) RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS_________________
(5) DATE OF BIRTH_______________________
(6) SEX__________________________________
(7) TEL. NUMBER_________________________
(8) FAX NUMBER___________________________
(9) EMAIL ADDRESS_______________________
(10) AMOUNT WON________________________
(11) OCCUPATION_________________________
(12) MARITAL STATUS______________________
(13) OPTION OF REMITTANCE(i)Courier Delivery(ii)Bank Transfer

DECLARATION:
I_____________________HEREBY
DECLARE THAT THE ABOVE DATA ARE TRUE. THAT MY CLAIMS AGENT SHALL ACT AS A FACILITATOR IN THE TRANSFER OF THE TOTAL FUND TO ME.
DATE_________________________________
(YOUR FULL NAMES)_____________________

Congratulations to you from the entire board of the British Microsoft Award Team.

Please, always update me.

Inquiry contact:
Mr Samuel Wilbeck
Microsoft Promotion Fiduciary Agent.
Head Winning Claims Dept.

Phone:(+44) 701-119-8224
_________________________________________________________________
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http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam