419 scam: "FedEx Courier Service"<smith.davids@yahoo.com> CONGRATULATIONS: YOU HAVE WON! YOU HAVE WON!! YOU HAVE WON!!!

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million pounds" (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)
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!
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348062608785 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- wayneroy@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "FedEx Courier Service" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <efccofficial0011@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:21:24 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS: YOU HAVE WON! YOU HAVE WON!! YOU HAVE WON!!!

BRITISH LOTTERY HEADQUARTERS,
CUSTOMERS SERVICES,
33 YATCH BASIN MARINA OFFICE,
UPON TYNE NEW CASTLE LONDON.
Batch: 14/211/0374: Ref: BTL/311OXI/02.

CONGRATULATIONS: YOU HAVE WON! YOU HAVE WON!! YOU HAVE WON!!!
We happily announce to you the draw of the British lottery program held in
London, Your e-mail address attached, to ticket number: 694/7560/0545/721
with Serial number: 886/04 drew the lucky numbers: 016/213/3517, which
subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category, you are therefore,
been approved to claim a total sum of 1,000.000.00 (One Million Pounds
Only) in cash credited to file RPC/9080/1153/2244 This is from a total
cash prize of 125 million Great british Pounds.
This year Lottery Program Jackpot is the largest ever for British Lottery;
the estimated 125 million jackpots would be the sixth biggest in U.K.
history, The biggest was the 363 million Great british Pounds starlings jackpot that
went to two winners in JUNE 2011 drawing of The Big Game, Mega
Millions' predecessor. Please note that your lucky winning number falls
within our African booklet representative office in West Africa as
indicated in our play coupon. In view of this, your 1,000.000.00 (One
Million Pounds Only) would be released to you by our affiliate bank in
West Africa.
Our agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release
of your funds as soon as you contact him. For security reasons, you are
advised to keep your winning information confidential til#l the claim of your
fund, is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you
demand fit to claim your prize.
This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and
unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned. NOTE THAT YOU HAVE
ONLY 15 DAYS FROM THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THE WINNING NOTIFICATION, OR YOUR WINNING FUND WILL BE CANCELLED IMMEDIATELY.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT IN WEST AFRICA IMMEDIATELY THROUGH EMAIL OR YOU CALL HIM.
MR. WAYNE ROY
Phone Number: + 234 806 260 8785
Contact Email: wayneroy@yahoo.com
Endeavor to email him with your full names, winning numbers, email
address, telephone and fax numbers immediately.

Congratulations; from me and members of staff of THE UK NATIONAL LOTTERY.
Yours faithfully,
DAVIDS SMITH,
LOTTERY CO-ORDINATOR.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam