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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:
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +31647154641 (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.
  • megalott@fastermail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Award Winner" <mel_winningnotification@sympatico.ca>
Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2006 14:56:58 +0000
Subject: LOTTERY AWARD !!!





Ref. Number: 132/756/4107
Batch Number: 538901537-BB67

Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 7th of March, 2006. Your E-mail address
attached to ticket number 27511465895-6410 with serial number 3772-510 drew
lucky numbers 7-14-88-23-21-45 which consequently won in the 1st category,
you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$ 500,
000.00((Five Hundred Thousand United states dollars)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 three years. This lottery was
promoted and sponsored by Presidents of the World Largest software's, 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 your
Agent Mr.Adams Meyer of MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL.
TEL: 0031-647-154-641
EMAIL: megalott@fastermail.com
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 26th of March. 2006.
After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all
correspondence.

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&n bsp; program.

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

Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Grace Edward

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam