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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claims 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.
  • anitawilliams@iol.pt

Fraud email example:

From: "CUSTOMER SERVICES" <euromillion@iol.pt>
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 19:45:18 +0200
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED!!!


The Euro Million Lottery
C.P, 1010
Barcelona
Spain.
(Customer Services)
Ref: EUML/0523/6312/08
Batch: E3/A067-10


We happily announce to you the draw (#0160) of the EURO MILLION LOTTERY,
online Sweepstakes International Program held on Friday 26th
October,2005,{NO TICKET WAS SOLD}
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545 188 with
Serial number 2356/02 drew the lucky numbers: (09) (21) (23) (31) (40) (46) bonus ball {08} Bonus Ball which subsequently won the Jackpot prize. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of _603,021 {six hundred and three thousand twenty one Euors) in cash credited to file
ETU/23256569086/03.This is from the total cash prize of _9,045,315 being
shared among fifteen {15}lucky winners in the category MATCH 5 PLUS BONUS.
All participants for the online version were elected randomly from the
World Wide Web through a computer draw system and extracted from over
100,000 unions, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed
online. . Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our
European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play
coupon.
In view of this, your _603,021 {six hundred and three thousand twenty
one Euors)would be released to you by any of our payment
offices in Europe.
Who will direct you on how to claim your winnings
That way your Winnings Certificate and all other relevant
documents/paperwork can be prepared for you. You would be required to show an
instrument of identification when cashing your cheque i.e. Drivers license or
International passport.
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 part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and
unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned. Good luck from me and
members of staff of the EURO MILLION LOTTERY.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent;
ANITA WILLIAMS MRS
anitawilliams@iol.pt

NOTE: *PLS FILL AND RETURNED THIS FUND RELEASE FORM TO YOUR CLAIMS AGENT:MRS ANITA WILLIAMS VERY IMPORTANT*
1.FULL NAMES:
2.ADDRESS:
3.SEX:
4.AGE:
5.MARITAL STATUS:
6.OCCUPATION:
7.E-MAIL ADDRESS
8.TELEPHONE NUMBER:
9.LUCKY NUMBER: B. DRAW NUMBER
10.TICKET NUMBER:
11.SERIAL NUMBER:
12.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL
13.COUNTRY:
14.AMOUNT WON:
Yours faithfully,
Ricardo Iñanki (Mr)
Online coordinator for THE EURO MILLION LOTTERY
Sweepstakes International Program.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam