419 scam: "Maria Gomez" <info@webpill.it> Reference Number: 03/1110201/15

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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:
- "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)
- "managervidaseguros@outlook.es" (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.
- +34672876912 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Maria Gomez" <info@webpill.it>
Reply-To: managervidaseguros@outlook.es
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 21:22:22 -0500
Subject: Reference Number: 03/1110201/15

ELGORDO LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION
PLAZA CONSTITUCION 16-17 28014 MADRID SPAIN.

Award Verification: http://loteria.rtve.es
Verification Number: 13437

Ref Number: 03 /1110201/ 15
Batch Number: RJ /01/ 882525/ ES

ATTN: Esteemed Prize Winner,

We have contacted previously without Response. Please be informed that you
are the lucky winner of (€400,100,00 euros) in our El-Gordo monthly online
programme held on 22-12-2014. Your email was entered as an alternative
number attached to Reference Number 03/1110201/15 with Batch no:
RJ/01/882525/ES drew the lucky numbers: 14-15-16-19-44-4+5, which
consequently won the lottery in the “B” category. This has been the
biggest ever played in the world which aimed at changing the lives of
millions of people.

Your fund is now deposited with a finance company insured to its real
value in line with the Spanish financial Act and monetary policies, hence
the winning prize, will not be re-programmed nor deduction applicable in
anyway. Due to false representation and practices, we ask that you keep
your award information strictly from public notice, until your claim has
been processed and money is in your possession as this is part of our
security protocol to avoid double claiming or unwarranted abuse of this
program by unauthorized individuals. All participants were selected
through a computer ballot system drawn from (Six Million) Emails from
Asia, America, Gulf Region, Europe, and South Pacific, as part of our
International promotion program. We hope your emails will draw a bigger
cash prize in the subsequent programs ahead. You are expected to be in our
Madrid office to claim and sign the winning legalization documents or your
accredited claims agent will act on your behalf.

To begin your claims, contact your claims agent immediately Don Raul
Himenez the Foreign Service manager of (VIDA SEGUROS S.A.,TEL/No:
011/+34-672-876-912,-FAX/No: 011/+34-917-692-805, Email:
managervidaseguros@outlook.es for the processing and receiving of your
money. Remember to quote your reference number in all correspondence.
Unclaimed Winnings will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA Y
HACIENDA. Furthermore should there be any change of your personal details
or addresses, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. And also be
informed that 5% of your Winning belongs to Vida Seguros S.A as part of
their commission for acting on your behalf. Three (3) certificates are to
be issued to you by the Local Government Tax Authority, Ministry of
Finance and Ministry of Interior, to back up your winning. Your agent will
direct you further on the administrative requirement to enable the bank
release your winnings. Please note that original copy of your letter have
been sent to your agent.

(PLEASE COMPLETE THE ATTACHED CLAIM FORM BELOW AND SEND VIA EMAIL TO US)

REF.NO:

BATCH NO:

NAME:

SURNAME:

DATE OF BIRTH:

OCCUPATION:

ADDRESS:

EMAIL:

TELEPHONE:

MOBILE:

FAX:

Congratulations from our members of staff and thank you for being part of
our program.

Sincerely yours

MRS MARIA GOMEZ
PRESIDENT

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam