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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
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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "overseas claims unit" (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. 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: steven johnson <lightsoutl2@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 21:56:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: lotto cam sent to me


The National Lottery
P O Box 1010
Liverpool, L70 1N
UNITED KINGDOM
(Customer Services)
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/09/ZY369
 
 
FINAL WINNING NOTIFICATION:
 
 
Dear Lucky Winner,
 
 
 
RE: BONUS LOTTERY PROMOTION PRIZE AWARDS WINNING NOTIFICATION
 
We are pleased to notify you the Draw (#1392) of the NATIONAL LOTTERY, Online Sweepstakes International Lottery Program held on Wednesday, 25th April 2009.  The result of our computer draw (#1392) selected your name and email address attached to an e-ticket number (number withheld) with Serial number (5627635368/09) drew the lucky numbers: 07 14 17 39 41 49 29  (bonus no.29), which subsequently won you the lottery in the 1st category to the sum of £7,871,010) Sevem Million, eight Hundred and seventy one thousand and ten British Pounds Sterlings). You have therefore been approved to claim your winning in cheque credited to file KTU/9023118308/09.
 
Your prize award has been insured in your email address and is ready for claims. To begin your claims therefore, you are advised to expeditiously contact our licensed and accredited claim agent for Overseas Lottery Winners within a period of 7 days (date of this email inclusive) for the processing of your winning and remittance to your designated bank account after all statutory obligations have been satisfactorily dispensed with. You may want to go through our online web result checker
 
 
http://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/results/winCheck/winCheckerStart.do
 
 
to verify your prize online with your numbers: 07 14 17 39 41 49 29
 
 
This promotion takes place twice weekly. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Germany as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your funds would be released to you by any of our payment offices in Berlin, Germany. Please be informed that claims not processed within the stipulated period may be forfeited to the pool without further notice. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him. You may wish to establish contact via e-mail with the particulars presented below sending the batch and reference numbers and these information below for quick verifications and release of funds between the hours of 8.00am - 7.30pm on Monday through Sunday.
 
 
Overseas Claims Unit
United Kingdom Lottery Fiduciary
Contact Person: James Hollis
Email: hollisjamess@officials.co.uk
 
 
VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM
 
 
1. AGE: ____47_________________
2. STATE, COUNTRY: _____united states________california________
3. TELEPHONE NUMBER: 661-274-4238_____________________
4. LOTTO NUMBER: ____ 07 14 17 39 41 49 29 __ B. DRAW NUMBER: ____1392_____
5. TICKET NUMBER: _56475600545 188____
6. SERIAL NUMBER: _____5627635368/09_____
 
 
Make sure this Verification and Funds Release Form is sent to the Fiduciary agent for quick verification and funds release purpose. Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so desire.
 
Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims.
This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.
 
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
 
 
At your disposal, we remain.
 
 
Very Truly Yours,
 
 
Paul Loft
The National Lottery
P O Box 1010
Liverpool, L70 1NL
UNITED KINGDOM

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam