419 scam: BBC NATIONAL LOTTERY <bbcnationallottery@rediffmail.com> YOUR EMAIL ID HAVE WON $2,500,000 BBC MERIT AWARD FROM MICROSOFT!!!

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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.
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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
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.
- +6285697388009 (Indonesia, probably a mobile phone)
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.
- bbconlines@yahoo.co.id (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: BBC NATIONAL LOTTERY <bbcnationallottery@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: bbconlines@yahoo.co.id
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 23:18:02 +0530 (IST)
Subject: YOUR EMAIL ID HAVE WON $2,500,000 BBC MERIT AWARD FROM MICROSOFT!!!

BBC NATIONAL LOTTERY

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lottery

Sunday 30th January

Draw no.1575

14 17 20 43 47 49 BONUS 31

Email:bbconlines@yahoo.co.id

Tel:+62 85697388009

Dear Lucky Winner,

From the desk of BBC National Lottery,We announce to you the{MICROSOFT MERIT AWARD 2011}Held in Sheraton Hotel & Towers Jakarta-Indonesia.Your email id emerges as the Lucky prize winner of $2,500,000(Two Million Five Hundred Thousands US Dollars)In the first category of our computer ballot promotions.Take note of your Ref.Code:KP23/967/MCL5/JKT,While your Grant Number is:MICC/97846563459/206 And your payment bonus is attached to a File Number:ID2267-2010.No ticket was sold as MICROSOFT only use this means to encourage the use of Internet worldwide.View the website above for more information's.To receive your prize you are requested to contact the Director International Payment Center In charge of Your Region in Jakarta-Indonesia.Note that it's very Important you call +62 85697388009 or +62 2183373002 Immediately for guidelines to receive your full prize payment.All Winners must forward their information listed below and send to our claim managers
through the email above for processing of your winnings.All winnings must be claimed not later than 21days from the date of publication.Note also that winners under the age of 15years are automatically disqualified from this program.Please send(1)File Number:ID2267-2010(2)Ref.Code:KP23/967/MCL5/JKT (3)Grant Number: MICC/97846563459/206,

(4)Full Names:

(5)Contact Residential address:

(6)Tel(Mobile):

(7)Nationality/Country:

(8)Your Email:

(9)Age/Sex:

(10)Occupation/Position

Claim Manager:

Dr.Mrs.Hungioyen Bella

Dr.Mitwally Essam Mokhtar

Director International Payment Center

(Europe,America,Middle East,Asia and Africa)

Jakarta Indonesia.

Tel:+62 2183373002

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lottery

www.microsoft.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam