419 scam: "ONLINE NOTIFICATION"<award2012@microsoftpromo.com> 09/04/2012

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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")
- "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. )
- "glenwood@blumail.org" (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.
- +447024024656 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "ONLINE NOTIFICATION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <payment100@gala.net>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 14:42:03 -0600
Subject: 09/04/2012

Microsoft Promotion Award Team

Stamford New Road,

Altrincham Cheshire

ZA121 4NP

London.

United Kingdom.

MICROSOFT WINNING NOTIFICATION.

We happily announce to you the draw of the Sweepstake Lottery International

programs held on 1st April 2012 in LONDON ENGLAND. Your e-mail

address was attached to ticket number: EAASL-130876.And subsequently

won you the lottery in the 3rd category.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of 450,000.00

(Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds Sterling) This is from a total

cash prize Shared amongst the first ten (10) lucky winners

in this category.

Please note that your lucky Winning number falls within our Europe booklet

representative in LONDON,ENGLAND as indicated in your play coupon.

In view of this, your 450.000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand

pounds sterling) cheque, would be released to you by our fiduciary agent

in LONDON, ENGLAND.Our Fiduciary agent will immediately commence

the process to facilitate the release of your check up as soon as you contact

him.

To begin your claim please contact our licensed and accredited agent

assigned to you

Mr Glen Wood.

Microsoft Promotion Award Team

Email: a.glenwood@blumail.org

Phone Num +44-7024024656

Fax +448704796623

Alternative Email: glenwood@blumail.org

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, you are to contact Mr Glen

Wood with the followings details below:

VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.

(1) Your contact address.

(2) Your Tel/Fax numbers.

(3) Your Nationality/Country.

(4) Your Full Names.

(5) sex

{6} Age.

{7} Occupation/

(8) Your Preferred Method Of Receiving Your Prize(From Below)

Mode of Prize Remittance:

(1) Cash Pick-Up (You coming down toUnited Kingdompersonally to pick your

prize).

(2) Courier Delivery of Your Certified Winning Cheque and other Winning

Documents safely to you.

Quote your Ticket number in correspondences with us to our designated agent.

Winners under 18 years of age will be automatically disqualified.

Congratulations, once more from all members and staffs of this program.

Thank you for being part of this promotional lottery program. Our special

thanks and gratitude to Sultan of Brunei, Bill Gates of Microsoftand all his

associates.

You are expected to keep your winning details to yourself in strict confidence

for security reasons.

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL; CONTACT YOUR FIDUCIARY AGENT

DIRECTLY.

Sincerely,

Dr.Paul Brown

Microsoft Promotion Award Team

Down the attached file to view our past winners

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam