419 scam: "Mr.williamsmith" <mr.williamsmith88@yahoo.com.hk> Dear Lucky Winner

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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 office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
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.
- +447014233132 (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.
- mr.williamsmith55@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.williamsmith" <mr.williamsmith88@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: mr.williamsmith55@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:00:37 +0800
Subject: Dear Lucky Winner

--
INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS PROMOTION
DEPARTMENT OF THE MICROSOFT COMPANY.
100 Victoria Street London SW1E 5JL

Dear Lucky Winner

Congratulations!!!

The prestigious Microsoft and has set out and successfully organized a
Sweepstakes marking the year 2010 anniversary we rolled out over US$
4,419,864 for our end of year Anniversary Draws. Participants for the
draws
were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of web hosts which we
enjoy their patronage.

The Board of Directors, members of staff and the International Awareness
Promotion Department of the Microsoft Draw, wishes to congratulate you as
one of our TEN (10) STAR PRIZE WINNER in this years' Microsoft
International Awareness Promotion (IAP) in London, England.

Your Email Address as indicated was drawn and attached to ticket number
008795727498 with serial numbers BOD/9080648302/10 and drew the lucky
numbers 14-21-25-39-40-47(20) which subsequently won you 0,000.00dollars'
as one of the 10 lucky winners in this draw. The draws registered as Draw
number one was conducted in Brockley, London United Kingdom on the 11th of
July, 2010. These Draws are commemorative and as such special.

This makes you the proud owner of a cash prize of {0,000.00 dollars} the
selection was made through a computer draw system (S.S.C) attaching
personalized Email Address to ticket numbers. Microsoft are now the
largest
Internet companies and in an effort to make sure that Internet Explorer
remains the most widely used program, Microsoft is running an e-mail beta
test.

Stating your receipt of Email notification Please be informed to fill your
verification form below, for the process to facilitate the release of your
prize to Avoid Unnecessary Delay and Complications:

Verification form:

1) Full name:

2) Sex

3) Age

4) Occupation

5) Address:

6) Phone numbers:

7) Nationality

8) Won before

9) Fax

10) Annual income

11) Email address

12) Ticket Numbers:

13) Serial Number:

You are advised to forward these information's as soon as possible to
enable your claims officer attend your file. Note that your winnings fund
has been insured with your REF NO: MSW-L/147-26231 and will be delivered
to
you.

Congratulations, once more from the entire Management and Staff of
Microsoft Cooperation to all our lucky winners this year. Thank you for
being part of this promotional lottery program. Our special thanks and
gratitude to Bill Gate of Microsoft and all his Associates for alleviating
poverty round the World.

Our special thanks and gratitude to Bill Gates and his associates. We wish
you the best of luck as you spend your good fortune in this season,
Congratulations once more, and keep trusting Microsoft Company for top
quality service.

Sincerely,

Mr.williamsmith

Email; mr.williamsmith55@hotmail.com

Tel: +44 (701) 4233132.

DIRECTOR OF PROMOTIONS,

INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS

PROMOTIONS, MICROSOFT
COMPANY LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam