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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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")
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• 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.
  • jameswatson_fid_agent@yahoo.co.uk
  • british_onlinelottery_promo25@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "uklotto game" <nationalgamelotto1@msn.com>
Reply-To: jameswatson_fid_agent@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 14:34:51 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!

UK-LOTTO HEADQUARTERS:
45 ELMDENE RD WOOLICH,
SE 16 TZ,UNITED-KINGDOM.
Customer Service
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369

WINNING NOTIFICATION:

We happily announce to you the draw(06/1054) of the UK-LOTTO
SweepstakeLottery International programs held on the 28th January 2006.in
LEEDS UNITED-KINGDOM. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number:
56475600545 188 with Serial number 06/1054 draw the lucky numbers
9 18 22 29 30 48 23 which subsequently won you the lottery in the 1st
category. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of ₤
1,623,367.00 (one million six hundred and twenty three thousand three
hundred and sixty seven pounds) in cash credited to file ktu/9023118308/03.
All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through
computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies.This
promotion takes place annually. Please note that your lucky winning number
falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as
indicated in your play coupon. In view of this,your ₤ 5,000,000
(five million pounds) would be released to you by our payment office in
europe.Our European agent will immediately commence the process to
facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.For security
reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till
your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner
you deem fit to claim your prize.This is part of our precautionary measure
to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this programme by some
unscrupulous elements. Please be warned.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Mr. James Watson
Email: jameswatson_fid_agent@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.thelotter.com/Results_.asp?Lottery=24



PLEASE FILL OUT THE VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM AND SEND IT TO OUR
FIDUCIARY AGENT MR JAMES WATSON FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONS.

1.FULL NAMES:__________________________________
2.ADDRESS:_____________________________________________
____________________________________________
3.SEX:_______________
4. AGE:______
5.MARITAL STATUS:___________________
6.OCCUPATION:________________________
7.POSITION HELD____________________
8.HAVE YOU APASSPORT OR LICENCE.............(identification on delivery)
9.ANNUAL INCOME..........................
10.INDICATE PREFERRED MODE OF PRIZE COLLECTION:
(A) CHEQUE
(B) DRAFT
(C) TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER IF BY TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER (Details of the account
where you want your funds transferred):
..........................................................
.....................................................
11.E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________________________
12.TELEPHONE NUMBER:_____________________
13.LOTTO NUMBER:____________________ B. DRAW NUMBER:______________
14.TICKET NUMBER:___________________
15.SERIAL NUMBER:__________________
16.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL___________
17.AMOUNT WON:___________________________________
18. STATE:__________________________________
19. COUNTRY________________________________
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your
reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with us or our designated
agent.
Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program.Thank
you for being part of our promotional lottery program.
Sincerely,
Mr Chris Walker.
Zonal Coordinator

Warning!!!: Fraudulent emails are circulating that appear to be using
British National Lottery addresses, but are not from The British Lottery.
PLEASE REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO :
CUSTOMER CARE/COMPLAINTS DEPT: british_onlinelottery_promo25@hotmail.com
Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and
press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so
desire. Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of
confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems
associated with fraudulent claims. This is part of our precautionary measure
to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam