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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- ",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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- +447031928569 (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.
- postservicedelivery@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. kenneth Smith" <kenneth_smith17@live.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:37:18 +0000
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?Contact_th?= =?windows-1256?Q?e_Post_Ser?=
=?windows-1256?Q?vice_Couri?= =?windows-1256?Q?er_for_Del?=
=?windows-1256?Q?ivery/Tran?= =?windows-1256?B?c2Zlcv7+/v7+?=

Online Sweepstakes®
I.P Award Dept.
Treathmelyn,Sandfeilds,
Port Talbot,West Glamorgan,
South Wales. SA12 7TJ.
(Order Number: A23R951TKF)

Contact the Post Service Courier for Delivery/Transfer

Congratulations,

This is to inform you that you have been cleared a winner of the online sweepstakes and have subsequently won for yourself £1,500,000 GBP (One Million Five Hundred thousand Pounds Sterling) Only. Your Original Certificate and your certified bank cheque have been forwarded to the courier company for delivery.

The courier company, will in accordance with your chosen mode of delivery,deliver your winning parcel containing the afore stated documents to your point of contact, under the auspices of our authority in your country or transfer the funds directly into your nominated bank account in any country of your choice, if the direct international bank transfer method is employed, your funds will be made available for claims in your local bank within 24 hours, in this case only your winning certificate will be delivered by express delivery to your contact address so as to validate the claims from your local bank or other financial institution.

It is also imperative you note that due to the classified international delivery method employed by the courier company do not divulge the identity of the bank and the mode of transfer, in consonance with the regulations of the State security agency as a guard against internet hackers of online banks and its likes. It also inhibits internet fraudsters who design pop up sites and impersonate companies known for their untainted reputations from perpetrating their unwholesome activities and defrauding people of their hard earned means of livelihood.

Details Of The Courier Company
Dr Walter Floyd
Dispatch Officer
Post Service Courier
19 Hillfield Lane, Stretton,
Burton on Trent,
Staffs, DE13 0BN
United Kingdom.
Email: postservicedelivery@gmail.com
Tel: (+44) 7031-928-569

You are to now required to send a mail to the Dispatch Officer of the delivery department of the courier company whose name and email address are clearly stated above, for detailed information on the courier cost of delivering your winning prize to your point of contact, AND/OR the cost and requirements for effecting the direct bank transfer method.

Note: you are to quote your Complete Names, Delivery Address, Telephone Number and ORDER NUMBER: A23R951TKF when contacting them. PLEASE you are advice to write down the ORDER NUMBER: A23R951TKF and save it for future references.

Once again I say congratulations do keep me updated with your communications with the courier company.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Kenneth Smith
Claims Agent
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469230/direct/01/

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam