419 scam: <harrietwilson5@virgilio.it> MICRO-SOFT 2005 AWARD NOTICE!!!!!!SE NEEDEDnal BankCErnational PromPŒë¸"

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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:
- "hundred thousand 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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +31616200087 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- darlingtonjim100@netscape.net (Netscape; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: <harrietwilson5@virgilio.it>
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 16:50:29 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: MICRO-SOFT 2005 AWARD NOTICE!!!!!!

GLOBAL MICRO-SOFT E-MAIL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM .
INTERNATIONAL
PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEP.
LAAN VAN HOORNWIJCK 55, 2289DG,
RIJSWIJK
- THE NETHERLANDS.

Ref. Number: 633/98/401
Batch Number: 213-127-
798-GSLI102

Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of
the Microsoft Email Lottery Winners International programs held on the
17th of December, 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number
008-115-627-609 with serial number 323-509-992 drew lucky numbers 253-
033-530-000-114 which consequently won in the 2ND category, you have
therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$500 000.00(Five
hundred thousand united states Dollars only)

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 year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by THE
MANAGEMENT OF THE MICROSOFT COMPANY WORLD WIDE, 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
Regional Office with the details below for processing and release of
your winning.

***************************************************************
E-mail:
darlingtonjim100@netscape.net
Tel:+31-616-200-087
Fax:+31-847-288-457
DAYZERS LOTTERY REDEMPTION CENTRE,AMSTERDAM.THE NETHERLANDS.
***************************************************************
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 20 Days from the
day of this notification After this date all unclaimed funds will be
included in the next stake. Please note inorder to avoid unnecessary
delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and
batch numbers in all correspondence.

Please be informed that all non-
resident of NETHERLANDS are required to pay for their non resident
processing/legal fee for the collection of their winning prize.

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 promotional program.

Note:
Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Sincerely
yours,
Mrs.Jessica Kelly.
(Lottery Co-ordinator.)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam