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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "million british pounds" (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.
  • errolpitts22@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Wayne Bunting" <globalsweepstakeslotteryinternational@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 13:34:00 +0100
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION.

>From the Desk of the Head Co-Ordinator
Global Sweepstakes Lottery International
28 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
United Kingdom

Ref: GSL/988/05


Sir/Madam
WINNING NOTIFICATION.

Over the years the prestigious Global Sweepstakes lottery has set out and
sucessfully organised Sweepstakes on a daily,weekly,and annual basis.

We have equally maintained a standard unrivaled in the industry as it
concerns the pay out of winnings to sucessful participants.

In line with the commemorating event marking our 10th year anniversary we
rolled out over &pound;2,000.000.00(Two million British Pounds) for our 10th
year Anniversary Draws. Participants for the draws were randomly selected
and drawn from a wide range of web hosts which enjoy our patronage. The
selection was made through a computer draw system attaching personalised
email addresses to ticket numbers.

Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached to Ticket Number
003895337498 with serial numbers GSL/9080118308/03 and drew the lucky
numbers 14-21-25-39-40-47(20) which subsequently won you &pound;250,000.00
(Two Hundred and fifty Thousand Great Britain Pounds) as one of the 10
jackpot winners in this draw. You have therefore been approved the entire
winning sum of &pound;250,000.00 (Two Hundred and fifty Thousand British
Pounds).The draws registered as Draw1 was conducted in Brockley,London
United Kingdom on the 22nd of August 2005. This lottery Draws is
commemorative and special.

Please be informed by this Winning Notification to make contact with your
designated agent Mr. Errol Pitts who shall by duty guide you through the
process to facilitate the release of your winnings.
To file for your claim Please Contact your Fiduciary agent


Mr. Errol Pitts

Email:errolpitts22@yahoo.co.uk

You are advised to contact your Fiduciary agent with the following
details to avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
Your Name (in Full).Ticket Number,Serial Number,and Lucky Numbers as
indicated in this winning Notification.

I wish to on behalf of Members and Staff of the Global Sweepstakes
Lottery International Congratulate you on your win and wish you the Best of
luck as you spend your good fortune.
Thank you for being part of our commemorative 10th Anniversary Draws.

Sincerely,

Sir Wayne Bunting (MPE)
Global Sweepstakes Lottery Head Co-ordinator.

NB:
PLEASE NOTE! Any claim not made before twenty one(21) working days from date
of notification will indicate that the winner has voluntarily forfeited
his/her winnings.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam