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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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• 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:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• 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: "Shell International Promo" <information3@mobimail.mn>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:04:49 -0700
Subject: Congratulations!! Your email emerged as a winner


SHELL INTERNATIONAL LTD
SHELL FOUNDATION, NIGERIA SE1 7NA.
*Winning Numbers*
*1*
*2*
*26*
*30*
*40*
*21*

Dear Lucky Winner,

The Shell Foundation Nigeria was established in the year 2000 by the Shell
Multi-Million Groups and is now supported by the United Nations (UN),
European Union (EU), and the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS).

To celebrate the 7th anniversary program, the Shell Foundation Nigeria, in
conjunction with some multi national Companies and other relevant bodies is
giving out a yearly donation of US$400,000.00 (FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS) to eight lucky recipients.

You were selected among the lucky recipients to receive the award sum of
US$400,000.00 (FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) as charity donations/aid from
the Shell Foundation Nigeria in accordance with the enabling act of
Parliament.

For further information and claim, Please contact your claims agent with the
below email address and quote these numbers. Winning Numbers: 1 2 26 30 40
21, Ref: 575061725, Batch: 8056490902/188 and cash credit file ref: ILP/HW
46704/08.

Contact Person: Mr. Barry Wright(RCA)
Email: barrywright@shell-promo.com

Note: All winnings MUST be claimed, not later than 28 days after
notification. Failure to do so will result to outright cancellation.

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. CONTACT YOUR CLAIMS AGENT AT:
barrywright@shell-promo.com

Signed,
Shell Promo Inc.

Copyright 2000-2008 Shell Promo International.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam