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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
• 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.
  • +31613189528 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • overseaagent@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: "bertron hill" <be_hill_2005@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2006 17:41:17 +0000
Subject: YOU ARE OUR ESTEEMED WINNER

BRITISH INTERNATIONAL STAKE LOTTERY

 

FROM:THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369
TEL: +31 613 189 528
Dear Winner,
RE: BONUS LOTTERY PROMOTION PRIZE AWARDS WINNING nOTIFICATION.

 

We are pleased to notify you the draw (#341) of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY, Online Sweepstakes International Lottery Program held on January 20th, 2006.

 

Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from a pool of over 25,000 names of distinguished professionals drawn from Europe, America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle-East, parts of Africa, and North & South America as part of our international promotions programme conducted annually to encourage prospective overseas entries. We hope with part of your prize awards, you will take part in our subsequent lottery jackpots.

 

The result of our computer draw (#867) selected your name and email address attached to e-ticket number: 2134569852144 with Serial number 3791/35 drew the lucky numbers: 99-16-18-20-89-03-14 (bonus no.36), which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category i.e. match 5 plus bonus.

 

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of 22,000,000Euro (TWENTY-TWO MILLION EURO) in cash credited to file KX/3215487902/55. This is from a total cash prize of 132,000,000Euro shared amongst the first Six (6) lucky winners in this category i.e. Match 5 plus bonus.
Your prize award has been insured in your name and is ready for claims. To begin your claims therefore, you are advised to expeditiously contact our licensed and accredited claim agent for Overseas Lottery Winners within a period of 7 days (date of this email inclusive) for the processing of your winning and remittance to your designated bank account after all statutory obligations have been satisfactorily dispensed with.

 

This promotion takes place weekly. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your 22,000,000Euro (TWENTY-TWO MILLION EURO) would be released to you by any of our payment offices in Europe.

 

Please be informed that claims not processed within the stipulated period may be forfeited to the pool without further notice.

 

Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact them. You may wish to establish contact via e-mail with the particulars presented below citing the batch and reference numbers to this letter between the hours of 8.00am - 7.30pm on Monday through weekdays.

 

Overseas Claims Unit
United Kingdom Lottery Fiduciary
Contact Person: Mr. TOUGIT DANIEL.
Email: overseaagent@netscape.net
Tell: +31 613 189 528

 

Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so desire. Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims.

 

This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

At your disposal, we remain.
Very Truly Yours,

 

Bertron Hill (Zonal Coordinator).

 

                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam