419 scam: "PATRICK WIDEN"<info@facebook.org> RE: FB LTTY 2014

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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:
- "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- ",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)
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: "PATRICK WIDEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <facebook.inc20@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 May 2014 14:25:25 -0400
Subject: RE: FB LTTY 2014

FACEBOOK ONLINE LOTTERY PROGRAMME 2014

FACE BOOK ONLINE LOTTERY PROGRAM 2014

FROM: THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT.

INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD.

BATCH NUMBER: 2551236002/244

SERIAL NUMBER. 55643451907

TICKET NUMBER: 5647600545189

CATEGORY: 2ND

Dear Face Book Winner ,

            We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded annual Final draws held on the ( 25th of March 2014) by Face book group in cash Promotion to encourage the usage of Face book all over the world,each winner on the Face book group promotion Award Attached to ticket number (5647600545189) and Ref No (2551256002/244) Serial Number (55643451907).

      The online draws was Conducted by a random selection of emails whereby your email was picked by an Advanced automated Genetic Machine search from the Face book In-Search World Wide, in other To claim your $600,000.00USD ( Six Hundred Thousand United states Dollars ),you will have to follow every instruction given to you Via this Email...The lottery program which is a new innovation by Face book, is aimed at saying A BIG THANK YOU to all our users for making Face book their number one means to connect,communicate,relate and hook up with their families and friends over the years. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants and Scam artists All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 companies' and 30,000,000 individuals' email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional pr ogram takes place every year

           Your name was selected in a raffle that was made 25th of March 2014 so we need your fast response so that we can proceed with the delivery of your fund .You are required to to provide us With information below in order for us to complete your winning certificate and for further information regarding the disbursement of your lottery win.

FULL NAME:

FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:

MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:

OCCUPATION:

MARITAL STATUS AND AGE :

NATIONALITY / COUNTRY:

TICKET NUMBER:

REF NUMBER:

SERIAL NUMBER:

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS:

Remember all winnings must be claimed not later than 25th of May , 2014. After this date, all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. To avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in all correspondences. Furthermore, if there is any change in email address please contact us on time

To enable the issue of you certificate of winning Accept my hearty congratulations once again

CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN FROM FACE BOOK!!!!

Mr. John Maxwell

Head of Claims Department and General Secretary of the CEO FACEBOOK TEAM

APPROVED AND SIGNED

BY MR MARK ZUCKERBERG CEO FACEBOOK TEAM

Thanks,

Regards,

Patrick Widen

Promo Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam