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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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!
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +34636033266 (Spain, 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.
  • groupamaagency@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Free Loterias Nacional SP" <loterias@loterias.es> (may be fake)
Reply-To: groupamaagency@netscape.com
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 23:33:27 +0200
Subject:

Free Loterias Nacional SP
Calle Galileo, 32-4
Madrid Branch, Spain.
Reference numbers: ES23416543
Batch numbers:ND/761452341
website:www.freelotto.com
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE LOTTERY.
We wish to congratulate you over your success in our
computer balloting sweepstake held
on 16th April, 2006. This is a millennium scientific
computer game in which email
addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed
at encouraging internet users.
Therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for
it. Your email address attached to
ticket number 5,24,33,37,45,49 drew the lucky star
numbers which consequently won the
draw in the Second category. You have been approved
for the star prize of One million
dollars ($1,000,000.00).
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential
until you receive your lump prize
in your account. This is a protective measure to avoid
double claiming by people you may
tell.Send your winning ticket numbers, reference
numbers, batch numbers, amount won, and
your personal data to,
Sanchez Raul for processing of your claim:
Sanchez Raul Abogado
Avda. de la Constitución 14, E-6
28850 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid)
Tel: +34 636 033 266
Fax: +34 917 615 199
CONTACT PERSON:
Barrister Sanchez Raul or Mrs.Eva Caddy.
Email address:groupamaagency@netscape.net for
processing of your winning prize and
If you are under the age of 18, you are automatically
disqualified for this star prize.
Congratulations once more from all members and staff
of this program.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Suzan Carlos.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam