419 scam: Wilfred Diplomat <diplomatwilfred77@yahoo.com.hk> =?UTF-8?Q?Congratulations_from_Facebook=C2=A9_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:

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:
- "affidavit of claim" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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 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.
- facebooklotto250@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Wilfred Diplomat <diplomatwilfred77@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: Wilfred Diplomat <diplomatwilfred31@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2016 09:40:50 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?Congratulations_from_Facebook=C2=A9_you_have_Won_$6.6million!?=

FACEBOOK ONLINE LOTTERY PROGRAM 2015/2016
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD.
EMAIL; facebooklotto250@yahoo.com

CATEGORY: 2ND

Congratulations from Facebook!!

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded annual Final draws held on the (1st of Ausust 2016) by Facebook group in cash Promotion to encourage the usage of Facebook world wide, your E-mail address was among the 20 Lucky winners who won $6,600,000.00 United States Dollars (Six million six hundred thousand united state dollars) each on the Facebook ground promotion Award Attached to ticket number (5647600545189) and Ref No (2551256002/244) Serial Number (55643451907).

The online draws was Conducted by a random selection of emails, your Email where picked by an Advanced automated random computer search from the Facebook in other to claim your $6,600,000.00USD Prize. The lottery program which is a new innovation by Facebook, is aimed at saying A BIG THANK YOU to all our users for making Facebook their number one means to connect, communicate,relate and hook up with their families and friends over the years.

This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants and Scam artists. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 companies' and 30,000,000 individuals' email addresses from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three years.You have to be Rest assured that this is Real and Legal..and there are Some Scam artists around...Thanks to the FBI...216 of them have been arrested... The software corporation to encourage some few individuals with web site and email addresses promoted this lottery.

As said previously, your Email was selected in a raffle that was made on (1st of August 2016) so we need your fast response so that we can proceed with the payment. You are required to forward to us the information below to enable you claim your winnings:

FULL NAME:
FULL CURRENT CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS AND AGE:
NATIONALITY / COUNTRY:
TICKET NUMBER:
REF NUMBER:
SERIAL NUMBER:
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS:

Remember, all winnings must be claimed not later than (30th of 0ctober 2016). After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. To avoid unnecessary delays and complications. Furthermore, if there is any change in email address please contact us on time. You are required to forward the details to payment processing officer Ms. Joann Umar on E-mail: facebooklotto250@yahoo.comÂ to secure the sworn affidavit of claim for release of your won prize.

Accept my heart congratulations once again,

Thanks,
Regards,
Patrick Widen
Promo Coordinator.
APPROVED AND SIGNED
BY MR JOHN BRUMA CEO FACEBOOK TEAM.
Email;facebooklotto250@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam