419 scam: "Mr Erskine Bowles."<random@random.org> Congratulation From Facebook Headquarters.

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- ",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!
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.
- facebook_hq@usa.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Erskine Bowles." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <www.facebookboards@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2017 14:40:36 -0400
Subject: Congratulation From Facebook Headquarters.

Facebook User Award

            We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded annual Final draws held on the ( 4th of August 2017 ) by Facebook group in cash Promotion to encourage the usage of Facebook world wide and each on the Facebook 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 email you where picked by an Advanced automated random computer search from the Facebook and in other To claim your $1,000,000.00 USD the lottery program which is a new innovation by Facebook, is aimed at saying A BIG THANK YOU to all our users for making Facebook their number one means to connect, communicate,relate and hook up with their families and friends over the years.

            Your name was selected in a raffle that was made on 4th of August 2017 so we need your immediate response to enable us proceed with the delivery of your Winning/Fund also you are required to contact our payment dept via e-mail:

E-mail: facebook_hq@usa.com

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 30th of August 2017. 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 him issue you certificate of winning Accept my hearty congratulations once again

Thanks,

Regards,

Mr Erskine B. Bowles

# +1 (650) 382-2354

Promo Coordinator.Promo Coordinator

APPROVED AND SIGNED BY MR MARK ZUCKERBERG CEO FACEBOOK TEAM

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam