419 scam: "Vodafone 2012 Promotion" <angel3@westserv.net.au> CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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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:
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "vclaims01@dot.net" (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: "Vodafone 2012 Promotion" <angel3@westserv.net.au>
Reply-To: vclaims01@dot.net
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:18:31 -0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!

VODAFONE LTD/Verizon wireless
Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN
United Kingdom

Congratulations To you:

Your E-mail has won you the sum of £650,000.00(GBP),a brand new Vodafone
blackberry phone along with laptop computer from this year 2012 Vodafone
Anniversary Promotional Draws and Vodafone Ltd UK is rewarding you with
this great prize.The Vodafone Group Plc is organizing this promotion to
mark his 10 years (2002-2012)Anniversary and as an offer to all lucky
individuals worldwide and your E-mail has been selected as one of the
lucky E-mail for this great prize of £650,000.00(GBP),a brand new
Vodafone blackberry phone along with laptop computer.Kindly note that you
will only be chosen to receive the cash aid once, which means that
subsequent yearly donation will not get to you again,so it's your chance
to spend wisely on something that will create a long lasting wealth to
you and your family, and members of your community.Your REFERENCE NUMBER
to identify you as one of the lucky winners is Voda767Jul722Uk.

Please contact our assigned agent for claims via the email below with your
contact details.

Contact Person: Mr.Frederick Walter
Email: {vclaims01@dot.net}

Kindly note that the Vodafone Group Plc Foundation Board of trustees does
not know you in person or your biography, this makes it impossible to
identify you, or ascertain your credibility as to ensuring that your cash
aid will be appropriately utilized and know that this promo offer is for
both subscribers and non-subscribers worldwide.

Please endeavor to quote your REFERENCE NUMBER and Identification to the
claims department.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Sincerely,
Director Of Foreign Operation
Dr.Morris Klein

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam