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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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.
  • donaldsmith101@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Donaldsmith" <donaldsmith@swissmail.net>
Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 15:54:27 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE A WINNER



€uromillones lotería international


CALLE PIVON Y SANCHEZ NO 8 2B
28014, MADRID, SPAIN.

FROM: THE DESK OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
REF NO: UUE/11500369/25
BATCH NO: AUE/018/O5


ATTENTION: ……………………………….

RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION, FINAL NOTICE.

We are pleased to inform you of the release of the results of the EUROMILLONES SPANISH SWEEPSTAKES LOTTERY/INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM held on the 1ST OF JANUARY 2006, organized by our marketing department to promote and encourage international participation in our begin of year high stake lottery.

Your name attached to ticket number 7533-421 with serial number 67739252 drew the lucky numbers 12- 36-43-18-24 -46-29 which consequently won in the 3rd category.
You have therefore been approved for a lump payout of €900, 000.00 (Nine Hundred Thousand Euros) in cash credited to file REF NO: ESC/11500369/25.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your fund is now deposited with a security company insured in your name alone, due to mixed up of some numbers and names, we ask you to keep your prize tracking number very confidential until your claim has been processed and your prize money remitted to your nominated bank account, as this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming.

All participants were selected through a computer ballots system drawn from 57,000 names from Europe, America, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Africa And New Zealand as part of our international program which we conduct once every year. We hope that with a part of your prize, you will take part in our up coming beginning of year high stake of US$1.8 billion International lottery.

To begin your claim, please contact your claim agent, Mr. Donald Smith, International Operation Manager, CREDIT WORLD FINANCIAL SECURITY, LONDON, UK. On TEL: +00 44 79 0885 8824, Email: donaldsmith101@hotmail.com, as they have been assigned for processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated bank account of your choice.

Note: A payment of tax clearance fee is required from every beneficiary who is not a European citizen. Remember all prize money must be claimed not later than 25th of November, 2005. After this date all funds will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA Y HACIENDA as unclaimed. Also for your information, 10% of your prize money belongs to your claim agent as a part of their commission. This commission will be paid to CRYSTAL LINE SECURITY COMPANY only after you have received your fund in your designated account.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in every of your correspondence with your agent.

YOURS.SINCERELY
COLINS DAVE
VICE PRESIDENT

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam