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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claim agent" (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)
• 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.
  • mainlandtrustma@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: "europmillionsn@go.com" <europmillionsn@go.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 16:57:59 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?Euromillion_Loteria_Espa=C3=B1ol?=


Euromillion Loteria EspañolPaseo De La Castellana15-89, 28008 Madrid.Spain Branch.Ref. Nº: ES/007/05/12/MAD.Batch. Nº: GHT/2907/333/05. YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE LOTTERY.We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer ballotingsweepstake held on 30th September, 2005. This is a millennium scientificcomputer game in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional programaimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticketto enter for it.Your email address attached to ticket star number (4-5) drew the EUROMILLIONlucky numbers 3-19-26-49-50 which consequently won the draw in the Secondcategory. You have been approve for the star prize of EUR 667,248.26. (SixHundred And Sixty Seven Thousand, Two Hundred And Fourty Eight Euros. TwentySix Cents)CONGRATULATIONS !!!You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receiveyour lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you. Thisis a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may tell aswe have had cases like this before, please send your Full Name,Home andOffice Tel & Fax Number, Mobile Tel Number and your winning ticket number,reference numbers and amount won information for processing of your winning fund toour registered claim agent in addrres below.CamTrust Security ServiceMr.Phillip WeeksAddress: Avenida de America 12Madrid Spain.E-mail:mainlandtrustma@netscape.net Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 5th november, 2005.Pleasenote, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember toquote your reference number and batch number in all correspondence.Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent assoon as possible.Once again congratulations.Best regard,Mrs. Emily Simon,Lottery coordinator.The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to whom or which it is addressed. Unauthorised use, disclosure or copyingis strictly prohibited. The sender accepts no liability for the improper transmission of this communication nor for any delay in its receipt

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam