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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:
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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:
  • "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!

Fraud email example:

From: Promotion Claim Agent Picca <claim_agent_johnpicca1@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:05:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re:From Microsoft Lottery Companies Agent John Picca.


Dear Winner,

Their is no way we can send you a cheque for your prize claims we have never for once done that and can never use that system on your own case.

For you to claim your winning prize you have to undergo process as i told you before both in the bank and our company before your winning will be released this is because we don't want double claims or sending the money to a wrong person Account and to let you know that this system has been in existance since the origin of our Company and other winner have claim their prize through processes.

Their is nothing i can do for you on that request and kindly note that we need you or your legal representative person to come and sign for you assurance and process for you Certificate release and this is to be done before your winning prize will be released.I believe i sent to you the notification from the company yesterday and if you or your lawyer dose not act fast in claims your winning prize will be confiscated in 10 days time and that is to tell you that you will lose your prize,you or your lawyer have to come to our company for paper signing and as your agent i would advise you to make that within four days time it will help to extend your date of notice.

Thank you and have a nice day,
MSN Claim Manager,
John Picca.





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam