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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• 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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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: "Mr. Hopkins McConnell United Kingdom Claim Agent" <hopkinsmcconnell@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:21:32 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONGRATULATION


Dear Madras House ,
I got your mail but at this moment i dont even know if i'm communication with the rightfull winner, that is why i request you to confirm to me bellow details, then as soon as i'm through with the verification department, i will get back to you in details of the procedure and what you suppose to do to enable you receive your money into your account without delay

So go ahead and confirm bellow details otherwise i will not have access to responde to your mail

1. Your winning Numbers?
2. Your Reference and Batch Numbers?
3. The amount you win?
4. Your Passport or Driving License or ID Number?
5. You’re present occupation and the name of your business or company?
6. You’re direct and complete residential address?
7. Your Direct and private telephone mobile and fax numbers?

As soon as I receive above details, I will move immediately to the verification departments to submit all as they requested for official documentation of your details, which will enable the approval of your award winning certificate and other documents, which I will be sending to you the copy as an attachments, as soon as it’s out.

More so, as soon as I submit your details, it will enable me access to make inquiry on your behalf to know the guidelines and instruction required of you to follow immediately to enable you receive your winning fund into your nominated bank account there in your country.

Remember due to the maximum time featured, you don’t need to waist time on claiming your winning fund, this is why you have comply with instructions given to you to enable you receive your money as soon as possible.

Congratulation to you and your family,

Mr. Hopkins McConnell.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam