419 scam: "mails awards" <worldgame_news@hotmail.com> Congratulation You Have Won...@virgilio.it> PLZ ACKNOWLEDGE SPANISHE E-MAIL RESULPŒë¸"

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "00,000.00" (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.
- henoristrust@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mails awards" <worldgame_news@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: henoristrust@netscape.net
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 17:15:53 +0000
Subject: Congratulation You Have Won...

Congratulation You Have Won...
Address: Laan van Hoornwijck 55, 2178 DK Rijswijk
Ref. Number: 132/756/4007
Batch Number: 538901527-BB67
TRINITY GROUP AGENT TEAM SERVICE
Email: henoristrust@netscape.net

Attention: Sir / Madam,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of The Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 16th of December 2005. Your e-mail
address attached to ticket number 27511465896-6410 with serial number
3772-510 drew lucky numbers 7-14-88-23-31-45 which consequently won in the
1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of Euros
500,000.00 (Five hundred thousand euros)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We advise you to keep your winning information confidential until your
claims has been processed and Remitted to you. This is part of our security
protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by
non participants. your E-mail where selected through a computer ballot
system drawn from over 20,000 company from all over the world we hope with
part of your winning you will take part in our next year USD 2 million
international lottery.
Please Remember your winning prize must be claimed not later than 16th of
January 2005.After this date, your funds will be included in the next year
stake noverber 2006.
N.B
**************************************************************************************************************
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please
remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all
correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform
your chief information agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more
from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional
program.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Louis van Bart.
Lottery Co-coordinator
Bezoekadres: Laan van Hoornwijck 55
2289 DG Rijswijk

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam