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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.

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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:
  • "fiduciary 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 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.
  • bonanza_claims@zwallet.com

Fraud email example:

From: MR.NICK JONNSON <nickjohnson@zwallet.com>
Reply-To: bonanza_claims@zwallet.com
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 13:57:10 +0200
Subject: CONTACT FOR CLAIMS, PRICE(450,000.00) EUROS CONGRATULATIONS?


BONANZA MILLIONS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN PROMOTIONAL DRAWS
***************************************************************************************************************
ADDRESS :VIA SPERONARI / 38
PO BOX :20101-MILANO - (ITALIA)
***************************************************************************************************************
(CUSTOMER SERVICES)
REF : IT/ 840 /RD2/68
BATCH: 074/05/ZY369RDSM
***************************************************************************************************************
WINNING NOTIFICATION
We happily announce to you the draw of the Bonanza Millions Lottery
International programs held on the 8th OCTOBER 2005. in ITALY.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 0039/784 573 038 with Serial
number 5388/02 drew the lucky numbers:41-6-34-56-46-8 which subsequently won
the lottery in the 2nd category. You have therefore been approved to
claim a total sum of (450,000.00) Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Euro cash
credited to file KTU/6703527541.
Our agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of
your funds to you as soon as you make contact with him .
All participants were selected randomly from the 'World Wide Microsoft Web'
site through a computer ballot system and extracted from over 80,000 company
addresses. This promotion takes place annually.
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information
confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in
whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.
This is a part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and
unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements, Please be
warned.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent with the below
details for processing of your claims.
MR. ADAMS BROOKS
CLAIMS MANAGER
Email: bonanza_claims@zwallet.com
Note that all claims process and clearance procedures must be dully completed
early to avoid impersonation arising to the issue of double claim.
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, All prize money must be
claimed not later than 29th NOVEMBER, 2005.
After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed. Please quote your
reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with us or our designated
agent.
Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program. Thank
you for being part of our promotional lottery program. Note: Anybody under
the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Yours Sincerely,
PROF. BONANZO MILLEIAD.
LOTTERY COORDINATOR
FOR BONANZO MILLIONS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES PROGRAM
**************************************************************************************************************
DISCLAIMER: This communication is for the exclusive use of the intended
recipient (s) and shall not attach any liability on the originator, BONANZO
MILLIONS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM.
If you are the addressee, the contents of this letter are intended for your
use only and it shall not be forwarded to any third party, without first
obtaining written authorizations from the originator. It may contain
information, which is confidential and legally privileged and the same shall
not be used or dealt with by any third party in any manner without
the specific consent of Bonanzo Million Lottery Int

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam