419 scam: "Mrs. Veronica Grant" <stnmt@dongthap.gov.vn> From: Mrs. Veronica Grant

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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:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",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)
- "frankwilliams.inc@live.com" (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!

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Veronica Grant" <stnmt@dongthap.gov.vn>
Reply-To: <frankwilliams.inc@mail.ru>
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:44:30 -0800
Subject: From: Mrs. Veronica Grant

UK LOTTERY CENTRAL WINNING NEWS!!!

Sir/Madam

We are pleased to inform you from the UK LOTTERY CENTRAL about the result of the Winners of UK Lotto results held on Wednesday, 9 March 2011. Your e-mail address attached to Reference number 310863974- with Draw number 14674 drew out the winning numbers 2, 6, 27, 28, 40, 49 (14), which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of £1,000,000.00 (One Million pound) CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to the mix up of some numbers and name's we ask we advise you to keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you.This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and Unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn From over 30,000 company and 60,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three years.This lottery, was promoted by the software corporation to compensate Some few individuals with website and email addresses, we hope that with part of your winning you will take part in our next year £50 million international lottery.

*****************************************************************

To file for your claim, please contact our FIDUCIARY AGENT BY MAIL:
Mr. FRANK WILLIAMS of UK LOTTERY CENTRAL INTERNATIONAL.
Email: frankwilliams.inc@live.com

***********************************************************************

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 15 days of this notification. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all Correspondence.

Mrs. Veronica Grant
(Lottery Coordinator)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam