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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million dollars" (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)
- ",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)
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.
- +447024045865 (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.
- martina.wrightchambers@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: online Awards <agentjohnsmith009@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:19:11 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: You are a Lucky Winner of $3,000,000.00 (Contact your Clearance
Officer for Claims @ martina.wrightchambers@gmail.com)

Head Office:
#1 : 770 Broadway, New York,
NY 10003
Bangalore, NY: Telephone: +212-652-6400
United States.

Branch Office:
Address: 80 Hammer smith Road,
London, W14 8UD: Telephone: +447024045865
United Kingdom.
England.

CONGRATULATIONS!! CONGRATULATIONS!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

The American Online Foundation wishes to inform you that your e-mail ID was selected as one of the lucky winner's to receive the award sum of $3,000,000.00 USD ($3MUSD) from the American Online Foundation 2010.

The American Online Foundation in conjunction with England and some multi national companies and other relevant bodies are giving out the sum of $3,000,000.00 USD (Three Million Dollars Cash) each to five lucky recipients.

All participants were selected through a computer balloting system drawn from nine hundred thousand e-mail addresses from Canada, Australia, United States, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Oceania as part of our international promotions program which is conducted annually.

In order to receive your cash award you are advised to contact your Appointed Officer, this officer is responsible to guide you in order to receive your fund without delay, you are required to provide to your Claims Officer your personal data below.

Surname____
First Names_____
Nationality_____
Date Of Birth_____
Place Of Birth_____
Male|Female|______
Single|Married|_____
Permanent Home Address_____
Telephone No____
Correspondence Address (If Different From Above)______
Telephone No (If Different From Above)______
E-mail Address_____
Occupation______
Profession_______
Date______

Claims Officers Names And Contacts Addresses Is As Follows:

Name:Martina Wright
Address:#18 Harms Road Liverpool
L14JJ - United Kingdom.
Email: martina.wrightchambers@gmail.com

We wish to congratulate you and advice you to keep your winning confidential in other to avoid unknown person having access to your winning.

Signed.
Michael Kelly
Chief Operating Officer of America Online/President of AOL Media Networks.

Steve Case
Co- Founder, former chief executive officer and chairman of America Online (AOL).

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam