419 scam: Michael Smith <msmithwoolwich@gmail.com> CONGRATULATIONS YOUR EMAIL HAS WON LOTTERY PRIZE.

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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:

The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "international lottery programme" (no such lottery exists)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "foreign service manager" (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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
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.
- euro_afro_asian_accredited_agent@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Michael Smith <msmithwoolwich@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:17:50 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOUR EMAIL HAS WON LOTTERY PRIZE.

AUSTRALIA LIONSOTTO LOTTERY INC
5th Floor East
Commonwealth Center
55 Currie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
South Australia

Attention the winner

ONLINE AWARD PROMOTION:

Congratulations!! Your e-mail (id) was selected through the computer
ballot system, as a winner of Australia international lottery
programmed of the Free Lotto International, this is to officially
notify you that your email address have won the sum of
US$4.000.000.00{Four Million U.S Dollars} your email was drawn among
the 100 Million World Mixed Internet balloting.

This Promotion is sponsored by, MICROSOFT INC, YAHOO INC,TEXACO
ENGLAND,NOKIA,SHELL PETROLEUM,& CHEVRON and powered by Free Lotto
International.Therefore you are advise to contact your claims agent
for your payment process and include your personal information for
smooth clarification.

For verification purpose, forward to him your claims details below

(1)Your Full name
(2)Your Mailing address
(3)Your Tel or mobile
(4)Your Nationality / country
(5)Your Occupation
(6)Your Age

Ref: 475061725
Batch: 705470902/189
Winning no: GB8701/LPRC
Ticket no: 47061725 07056490902

How to claim your prize simply contact your claims agent

Name:Mr Anthony Somazu
Foreign Service Manager
Watford Regional Centre
Tolpits Lane, Watford WD18 9RN .United Kingdom
E-mail:euro_afro_asian_accredited_agent@yahoo.co.uk

One more time congratulations ! ! !

N.B-For security reasons, we advice all winners to keep this
information confidential from the public until your claim is processed
and your prize released to you. This is part of our security protocol
to avoid double claiming and unwarranted taking advantage of this
programmer by non-participant or unofficial personnel.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam