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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")
  • "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)
• 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.
  • lopez_anthonio316@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "fondazione information" <fondazione_divittorio@msn.com>
Reply-To: lopez_anthonio316@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 23:20:05 +0000
Subject: NOTIFICATION FOR CASH GRANT AID

 FONDAZIONE INFORMATION
Foundations Officer,
Vittorio Foundation,
ITALY.
www.fondazionedivittorio.it


Dear Sir,
                   NOTIFICATION FOR CASH GRANT AID.

This is to notify you that you have been choosen By the Board of Trustees of the above International charity organization based in the Italy as one of the final Recepients of a Cash Grant/Donation for Educational,Economic, social and Research developments in your community.

The Vittorio Foundation has established in 1977 by the Multi-Million group was conceived with the objective Of Human Growth, Educational and Community development.

In line with the 28 years anniversary program this year, the Vittorio
Foundation in conjunction with the European Council is giving out One
Hundred Million United States Dollars as specific Donations/Grants to
150 lucky international recipients worldwide in different categories for
Business development and Social uplift of their various communities.

 These funds are freely given to use for your business and educational
development and your community development at large.
    
Based on the random selection exercise of internet websites and millions
of Super market cash invoices worldwide,you were selected among the lucky
recipients to receive the award sum of US$1,850,000.00
(one million,eight hundred and fifty thousand United states Dollars) as charity
donations/aid from the Vittorio Foundation in accordance with the enabling
act of Parliament.(note that your email was selected from either the
internet,after absolute viewing of your profile or a Shop's cash invoice
around your area in which you might have purchased something from)

In view of this,your winnings will be released to you by our payment offices in
Europe. Our agents will immediately commence the process to facilitate the
release of your funds as soon they are contacted.

To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Mr. anthonio lopez

Email: lopez_anthonio316@yahoo.com

Please endeavour to quote your Qualification numbers (N-222-6747, E-900-56)
in all your correspondence.


For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential
till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you
deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measures to avoid double
 claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be advised.

On behalf of the Board, kindly accept our warmest congratulations!

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Gianni Mattioli.
(Foundation officer)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam