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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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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:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• 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: Agent Davin Liam <agentdavinliam@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 16:52:27 +0100 (BST)
Subject: VERIFICATION/CLAIMS FORM.


IRISH LOTTERY,
ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES.
Ref :LSUK/2031/8161/05
Batch:R3/A312-59

VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM

ATTENTION: WINNER ,
We sincerely apologise for the delay in replying your notification response; it is as a result of our very busy desk. I am Davin Liam your claims agent who is to guide you through the process of claiming your cash prize. Continue with the steps of your claims process.Congratulations once again from all the staff here. For the avoidance of doubt, your email address was gotten from one of the websites that you visited and it emerged as one of the lucky winner emails. So in order to verify your winnings, we need your winning and personal data for record and verifications purposes. Below is a verifications/data form; please fill accordingly so as to proceed with your winnings.
Please attach a recent passport photograph (optional but advisable)
(For easy identification at payment point)
Due to complaints coming from our previous winners, stating their inability to print and fill our clearance form we have developed a new strategy and all you have to do is follow the instructions below.

1 .Copy and paste the application form into the compose page of your email.

2. Proceed to answer each of the questions asked on the form, Once you have answered all send it to us as an email and we will respond immediately.
Once we have received your clearance form we will in turn print and store your information on our Winning files here in the Ireland.

Below I have added a copy of the verification form after the dotted lines.

Please note that if at any time any alteration is found on the verification form it renders your claims invalid.

Yours Faithfully
Mrs Vivian Williams
Online coordinator for the IRISH LOTTERY
Sweepstakes Programme.

1. TICKET NUMBER:
2. BATCH NUMBER:
3. SERIAL NUMBER:
4. AMOUNT WON:
5. FULL NAMES:

6. DATE OF BIRTH:

7. SEX:

8. MARITAL STATUS:
9. CONTACT ADDRESS:
10. CITY:
11. STATE:
12. COUNTRY:
13. ZIP:
14. TELEPHONE NUMBER:
15. OCCUPATION:
16. ANNUAL INCOME:
17. INDICATE PREFERRED MODE OF PRIZE COLLECTION:
(A) CHEQUE
(B) DRAFT
(C) PICK UP FUND FROM OUR OFFICE .
IF BY PICK UP FUND FROM OUR OFFICE
(Do Indicate When You Are Coming):
..........................................................
...........................................................
...............................................................
18. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL:

Upon receipt of the duly requested data, you will receive the contact information of the payment office to effect the release of your claim in anyway you deem fit.

Have a nice day.

Mr. Davin Liam,
Fiduciary Agent.




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam