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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "microsoft lottery" (no such lottery exists)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • +447031901946 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • barri_clifford01@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: Jim Blake CLAIMS OFFICE <jim_lakeclaimoffice@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:04:02 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re:Re: Claim Procedures.


Dear Winner,,,,,,,Mrs Hildemar.

After due verification, you are one of the lucky winner of the MICROSOFT LOTTERY WINNERS. Your claim has been approved and you are hereby advised to adhere strictly to the following instructions for your payment processing.

There is also a copy of the MICROSOFT lottery-winning certificate in the attachment of this mail.

Be informed that you are supposed to come to our office here in london to sign for the release of your money from the paying bank as soon as you have received your winning certificate as the gurantee.

However, we request that on your reply, you state the exact date of your arrival here in our office to sign off your winning fund to enable us arrange all procedures with our paying bank.

Note that your funds will be transferred to your designated banking co-ordinates within 72 hours from the moment you sign off the release order of your money with our paying bank.

You should also send a copy of the flight intinerary to CLAIMING AGENT OFFICE in order for us to update our records and arrange with the bank on your behalf. On your arrival here, we shall also give you in person the original copy of your winning certificate incase your bank would ask for the origin of your fund.

Most importantly, you can contact our accredited lawyers to assist you at (barri_clifford01@hotmail.com)should or call at +44 703 1901 946 incase you are not fit to come to our regional office to sign the release of your money which will be at your own expense, let us know either ways that suits you.

Secondly, we can advice the paying bank only at your consent to issue a certified bank cheque on your name which serves as cash, and we can send it directly to your address, but be sure that you will be resposible for the Dhl Cost and insurance fees of this cheque which is about 410 pounds , as Dhl company have refused to accept bank cheque with out insurance policy cover.

Note, there is an insurance embargo coverage on your fund, we regreat to inform you that we are not allowed to make any deductions as the microsoft lottery organisations have fully insured your winning fund with old mutual insurance company.

Your happiness is our concern.


Congratulations Once Again.

Yours truly.
Mr. jim blake.
Claiming Agent.






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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam