419 scam: "Dr Robson Vick" <micro_agnt@hotmail.co.uk> (no subject)

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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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "microagnt_2010@hotmail.co.za" (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!
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.
- +447024063994 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- +447024053868 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Robson Vick" <micro_agnt@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: microagnt_2010@hotmail.co.za
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:21:44 +0200 (CEST)
Subject:

2010 Promotion Award Notification
Microsoft Corporations:
Customer Service
Wrights Lane,
Kensington London W85SP,
England UNITED KINGDOM
FILE REF: HL/5564/08/09/MICS
BATCH: MC11/834/5PDH /EU

It is obvious that this notification will come to you as a surprise but
please find time to read it carefully as we congratulate you

over your success in the following official publication of results of the
E-mail electronic online Sweepstakes organized by Microsoft,

in conjunction with the foundation for the promotion of software products,
(F.P.S.)
held this Year 2010,in London UK. Where in your email address emerged as
one of the online Winning emails in the 2nd category and

therefore attracted a cash award of??950.000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty
Thousand pounds sterling) Our winners are arranged into four

categories with different winning prizes accordingly in each category.
They are arranged in this format below:
They are arranged in this format below.
CATEGORY NO.OF WINNERS WINNING PRIZES

1st. 15,000.00 pounds each
2nd. 950,000.00 pounds each
3rd. 4500,000.00 pounds each
4th. 250,000.00 pounds each
FOR VERIFICATION PURPOSE PLEASE INCLUDE:

(1) Your contact address...........................
(2) Your Tel/Fax numbers.........................
(3) Your Nationality/Country..............................
{4} Your Full Names................................
(5) Occupation/Age/Sex..........................................
(6) Your Preferred Method Of Receiving Your Price From Below)
(7) Amount Won

MODE OF PRICE REMITTANCE

(1)Cash Pick-Up (You coming Down to Uk Personally to Pick Your Price)

(2)Courier Delivery Of your Certified Winning Cheque

Name and other Winning Documents safely to you. NOTE: Do not disclose your
Prize Award until your money is successfully handed over to

you to avoid disqualification that may arise from double claim.Microsoft
shall not be held responsible for any loss of fund arising

from the above mentioned.
Do reply to this email, send your reply and enquiries to: We write to
officially notify you of this award and to advise you to contact

the Claims agents (Dr Robson Vick) immediately by phone
on (+44 7024063994) upon receipt of this message for more information
concerning the verification, processing and eventual payment of

the above prize to you.

*************************************************************
THE FOREIGN TRANSFER MANAGER MICROSOFT SECURITY DEPARTMENT (UK).
DR ROBSON VICK
Telephone: +44 7024053868
Email: (microagnt_2010@hotmail.co.za )
*************************************************************
The Microsoft Internet E-mail lottery Awards is sponsored by our Yahoo and
a consortium of software promotion companies. A HEARTY

CONGRATULATIONS! from the Staffs & Members of the
interative Lottery Board Commission.
Sincerely, MR. MICHAEL SEEDWELLM.S.PRO.
ZONAL COORDINATOR
This email and any attachments may be confidential and/or subject to
copyright or other intellectual property right protection. If you

are not the intended recipient of the email, you are not permitted to use
or disclose any information contained in the email or any

attachments
and we request you notify the sender and delete.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam