419 scam: "Reader's Digest" <info@division1.biz> very good

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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:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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 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.
- stevehharmon@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Reader's Digest" <info@division1.biz>
Reply-To: <stevehharmon@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 07:59:18 -0500
Subject: very good

READER'S DIGEST INC
293 Park Ave New York NY 10171
(PUBLISHER'S CLEARING HOUSE AND PROMOTION CO)
(UNCLAIMED PRIZE DIVISION.)
Tel: +1-646-301-1987 Ext 1120

CLAIM NUMBER: ROT-7458-D12

NB : FINAL NOTICE

We are pleased to inform you that you are one of the lucky winners in the second category of the Publisher's clearing house and a Compensation Draw Sweepstakes held on JUNE 26, 2010. Entry MP-535-Y345 was attached to your name and matched the first five lucky numbers: 8-29-52-4-78 hence making you a winner! You have therefore been approved for a lump sum of $21,185,000.00 (TWENTY ONE MILLION, ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS) payable to you by Certified Check, Bank Transfer or Visa debit Card and will be delivered to you by our Special Courier Company. To avoid your check getting lost in the mail. Email us your most updated mailing address and phone numbers for easier communication and faster processing.

Reader's Digest, lnc has been contacted by the Publisher's Clearing House to find winners who have not yet claimed their winnings and assists them through the claiming process. Please call your claims agent immediately upon receiving this document to start the claiming process.

CONTACT YOUR FILE AGENT:
Agent Name: Mr. Steve Harmon
Phone: +1-646-301-1987 Ext 1114
Email: stevehharmon@aol.com

The office hours are, Monday -Friday ….7am to 9pm, Saturday..8am to 8pm, (Eastern Standard Time)

N/B: You've probably daydreamed about opening your front door to find the prize patrol waiting outside, ready to hand you the giant check that will change your life forever. Please, do not act on this letter until you speak with your claim agent for further instructions on how to claim your winnings within 10 business days.

Vernon Kimberly
Vice-President, Global Operations

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam