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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
• 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: mconn@shieldgroupusa.com
Reply-To: info@mega-milloneslottery.eu.tf
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:55:43 -0400
Subject: RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE


Avda. Juan Real 25
C.P. 28002 Madrid Spain
FROM THE DESK OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.

Date: 15/09/08

RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE

We are pleased to inform you today the 15th of September 2008 the results of the MEGA-MILLONES LOTTERY. This promotional programme was held and released on the 7th APRIL of 2008 as part of our yearly promotions programme. Your name attached to the winning numbers: 03 15 17 32 36 45, Ticket Nº: 01-3220, Batch Nº: 82640-0 and Reference Nº: ILC/0067060221/07 which consequently won the lottery on the third category? 01,02,08,13,16,24 (compl:31,41)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Your winning amount is eight hundred and seventeen thousand,seven hundred and ten EUROS (€817,710,00 Euros)in cash,to be paid through one of the following payment options:

(A) PICK-UP(in Spain)
(B) BANK WIRE-TRANSFER

Your winning amount is insured in your name under the bond policy coverage for security reasons and will be released for payment by THE BANK of SPAIN after datas clarifications and certification of the release order.

BENEFICIARIES ARE TO COME TO SPAIN FOR THE LEGAL DECLARATION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FUNDS.IN A SITUATION WHEREBY BENEFIFICIARIES CAN NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO SPAIN,AN ALTERNATIVE DECLARATION PROTOCOL SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED BY YOUR CLAIMS AGENT.

A TOTAL OF 400,817 TICKETS WERE SELECTED AND PLAYED BY MEGA-MILLIONES PROMOTION COMPANY FOR CITIZENS OF USA,AUSTRALIA, CANADA, EUROPE,MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA.

Due to mixed up of names,we urge you to keep your reference number highly CONFIDENTIAL until your claim has been processed and your cash remitted to you,as this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by non winners,taking advantage of this program.

For the claiming and remittance of your prize money to your designated bank account, kindly contact your claim’s agent,PABLO BELLUCCI,foreign operations manager of RIVER PLATE SEGUROS S.A MADRID,SPAIN on

Tel: 0034 63 83 28 369.
Email: pablo-bellucci@mega-milloneslottery.eu.tf

Remember,all prize money must be claimed not later than 30TH of September 2008, after this date all winning amounts will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE HACIENDA as UNCLAIMED.

Note:All beneficiaries must obtain a DECLARATION CERTIFICATE from the Ministerior de Hacienda.If there is any change of your address,do inform your Claims Agent as soon as possible.Remember to quote your reference number each time you phone your claims agent.

Sincerely,

JOSE LUIS DE la fuente
VICE PRESIDENT

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam