419 scam: "Bennard Hughs" <info@lee.org> BMW LOTTERY DEPARTMENT

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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:
- "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)
- "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!
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.
- bennardhughs12@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Bennard Hughs" <info@lee.org>
Reply-To: <bennardhughs12@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2017 09:31:58 +0500
Subject: BMW LOTTERY DEPARTMENT

Reference Number BMW:6743222009/13
THE LOTTERY DEPARTMENT BMW
Automobiles United States.

Dear BMW Enthusiast,

This is to inform you that you have been selected as a winner for a
cash prize Certified Check of $500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars) and a brand new BMW 5 Series Car from
International programs held on the 5th of August, 2016 in the United
States..

Description of prize vehicle;
Model: 535i
Color (exterior): Metallic Silver
Mileage: 5
Transmission: Automatic 8 Speed

Options: Cold weather package, premium package, 14-way
power-adjustable front seats including 4-way lumbar support and memory
system for driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirror w/ski bag,
Anti-theft AM/FM stereo CD/MP3 player with Radio Data System (RDS)
HiFi Sound System with 12 speakers and 205-watt digital amplifier HD
Radio™ with "multicast" FM station reception

The selection process was carried out through random selection in our
computerized email selection ballot system from a database of over
250,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world
which yours and nine others were selected as the winners.

The BMW Lottery is approved by the British Gaming Board and also
Licensed by the The International Association of Gaming Regulators
(IAGR). This promotional lottery is the 3rd of its kind and we intend
to sensitize the public. To begin the processing of your prize you are
to fill the information below and return immediately.

Fill with your secret pin code Number BMW:

6743222009/13.

* Name in full.
* Address.
* Nationality.
* Age.
* Occupation.
* Phone/Fax.
* Present Country.
* Email address.
* pin code Number BMW:

PRIVATE EMAIL CONTACT: bennardhughs12@gmail.com

MR. FREDRICK WALTER
THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS
BMW LOTTERY DEPARTMENT
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam