419 scam: "Yahoo Asia Lottery Promotions"<patricia@halcyonoffshore.com> Your email address has won you US$250,000 from the Yahoo-Asia

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
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: "Yahoo Asia Lottery Promotions" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <yhasialotto01@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 15:39:11 -0800
Subject: Your email address has won you US$250,000 from the Yahoo-Asia

Your email address has won you US$250,000 from the Yahoo-Asia: (Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, China & Malaysia) free ticket email and online lottery promotions. Your winnings number is: YJP/YHK/YMY/YCN-44100. You can receive this US$250,000 either by Cheque or ATM card.

If you choose Cheque payment, your name and winnings amount of US$250,000 will be on the Cheque. If you choose ATM card payment, your name and winnings amount of US$250,000 will be on the card and the card's four digit pin code will be given to you.

Choose Cheque or ATM card payment
Also choose 14 days mail/post or Next day courier delivery.

WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW ON ATM CARD MEANS OF RECEIVING YOUR US$250,000 WINNINGS PRIZE.

-- You can receive the ATM card either by Mail/Post or courier delivery.
-- Administrative fee is US$85.
-- Mail/Post fee is US$5 and arrival time is 14 days or less. TOTAL FEE FOR MAIL/POST: US$85 + US$5 = US$90.
-- Courier delivery fee is US$80 and arrival time is within 24Hrs. TOTAL FEE FOR COURIER: US$85 + US$80 = US$165
-- Maximum of US$10,000 per day can be withdrawn from the ATM card.
-- You can withdraw the entire $250,000 in the ATM card within the first 25 days after you have received it.
-- You can transfer part or the complete US$250,000 from the ATM card to your savings, current or checking account.

WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW ON Cheque MEANS OF RECEIVING YOUR US$250,000 WINNINGS PRIZE.

-- You can receive the Cheque either by Mail/Post or courier delivery.
-- Administrative fee is US$85.
-- Mail/Post fee is US$5 and arrival time is 14 days or less. TOTAL FEE FOR MAIL/POST: US$85 + US$5 = US$90.
-- Courier delivery fee is US$80 and arrival time is next day. TOTAL FEE FOR COURIER: US$85 + US$80 = US$165
-- You can cash the complete US$250,000 Cheque within 3-4 days after you have deposited it with your bank.
-- You will need a bank account with any bank of your choice in order to deposit and cash the Cheque.

If you choose Cheque and you make payment for 14 days mail/post or Next day courier delivery and your winnings cheque arrives your address, you can confirm the validity and authenticity of the Cheque with your bank before depositing it or after you have deposited it. It will take your bank less than 1hr to confirm the Cheque for you. This will give you a personal guarantee that our Cheque is genuine and will surely clear within 3-4 banking days and it will also make you feel relaxed while you wait 3-4 days for the Cheque to clear.

Deduction from the $250,000 was not made possible by the Lottery Promoters and we do not operate C.O.D (Cash on Delivery) or C.A.D (Cash after Delivery).

For claims of your US$250,000 to begin, Reply with your winnings amount, winnings number, Complete official names, Nationality and resident country, Address, Contact telephone and mobile numbers, Age, Sex, Occupation and job title.

Congratulations on your winnings.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr.A. O Luccas
Information Sector,
YAHOO ASIA LOTTO GROUP

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam