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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "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!
• 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.
  • +27738113974 (South Africa, 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.
  • lotteryprogram@webmail.co.za

Fraud email example:

From: "Wheel Ofriches" <wheelofriches5@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 03 Oct 2005 21:50:16 +0000
Subject: RE/ AWARD NOTIFICATION; FINAL NOTICE

FROM DESK OF: PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
DEAR WINNER,
REF: SSG/05/67910/ZT, BATCH: RSA/333
RE/ AWARD NOTIFICATION; FINAL NOTICE

We are pleased to inform you that you have emerged one of the Twelve (12)
Winners of our Wheel of Riches Lottery Program which was drawn on the 15th
of September, 2005. Your email/company, attached to compu-ticket play coupon
No.531-1803-9713-1807, with serial number 5-66-308 draw the lucky numbers:
7-24-31-36-43 Bonus (18), and consequently won the lottery. You have
therefore been approved for the sum pay out of $15,300,000.00 Fifthteen
Million five Hundred Thousand dollars); in cash Credited, to file REF:
SSG/05/67910/ZT.

This is from total prize money of $ 74,700,000.00 shared among the Seventeen
International winners in this category. Participants were selected through a
referral program and winners were automatically selected by Computer Ballot
System (CBS), drawn from 45,000 global names from Australia, New Zealand,
America, Asia, Europe, Africa and North America as part our International
Promotions Program, which is conducted quarterly. Selection was based on
individuals all over the world, who do register on the Internet daily.

This draw automatically qualifies you for our "New Year" International Grand
draw of 2 Billion Euro that will take place by the Third quarter of 2005
(more info from our promotions office).
Your fund is now available for claim. For due processing and remittance of
your prize money, to your chosen account or preferred payment method, please
contact the CLAIMS DEPARTMENT.
CONTACT: Smilo Botha (Operations Manager)

Direct Tel: +27-73-811-3974, Direct Fax: +27-73-811-3975/9
EMAIL: wheelofriches@msn.com, lotteryprogram@webmail.co.za
Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your
claims agent as soon as possible. It is important to provide the following
information clearly, to avoid any delays in processing your cash award.
Full Name:
Ref:
Batch:
Email:
Country of Origin:
NB: All claims must be submitted to the claims department not later than
7days of this notification otherwise will be automatically disqualified and
Prize returned to (SSP) Charity Trust Account as unclaimed. For security
reasons, winners are advised to keep their winning Information private and
secured till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in
whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our
precautionary measures to avoid double claims and unwarranted abuse of this
program. Any breach of this policy will result in automatic disqualification
of prize claim.

We hope with a part of your prize, you will participate in our Second
Quarter high stakes EURO 2 Billion International Lottery.
Congratulations! Once again from all our staffs/Funs, thank you for being
part of our promotional programs.
Sincerely,
Kagz Marek
Executive Director (Promotions)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam