419 scam: "GIOCODEL LOTTO" <giocodellotto2@walla.com> GIOCODEL LOTTOt> CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE WON THE DECEMBER PROMOTION!!! AWARD PROPŒë¸"

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united states 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)
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.
- giocodellotto2@walla.com (Walla.com, Israel; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "GIOCODEL LOTTO" <giocodellotto2@walla.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2005 04:34:03 +0200
Subject: GIOCODEL LOTTO

GIOCODEL LOTTO
www.giocodellotto.com
Ref. Number: 132/756/4509
Batch Number: 538-901-527-Bc68
Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 19th of December, 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 52-24-655-896-6453 with serial number 3772-554 drew lucky numbers 7-14-18-23-31-45 which consequently won in the 2ND category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$ 1,000,000 (One Million United States Dollars) CONGRATULATIONS!!! Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.This promotional program takes place every three year. This lottery was!
promoted and sponsored by eminent personalities like Bill Gates and the Sultan of Brunei, we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next year USD50 million international lottery.To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial agent Mr.Manuel Weeks AND ASSOCIATES Itaily.TELEPHONE :+39-3491-640361 Torino. Reply Email:giocodellotto2@walla.com Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 5th of January <http://uk.f253.mail.yahoo.com/calendar/isapi.dll?calendarView=month&month=1>r 2005.After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotio!
nal program.Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically dis
qualified.
Sincerely yours,
Mr Manuel Weeks.
Lottery Coordinator
www.giocodellotto.com
Email:giocodellotto2@walla.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam