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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:

• 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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • victorianlottery@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • agentmartin@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Victorian=20Heritage?= <victorianlottery@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 18:30:44 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: victorianlottery@yahoo.co.uk

VICTORIAN HERITAGE FUND LOTTERY

10 NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE,

LONDON WC2N 5BX, THE UNITED KINGDOM.

FROM: THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS,

INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,

REF: VHFL/67-AO91652006

WINNING NOTIFICATION


We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today, 29th April, 2006 of winners of the Victorian Heritage fund Lottery held on 22th April, 2006.Your email address was attached to ticket number 13-2316-5086-477; with serial number A025-09 drew the lucky numbers 37-13-34-85-56-87, and consequently won in category A. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of £1,000,000.00(GBP) in cash credited to file REF NO.VHFL/67-AO91652006.


This is from total prize money of £3,000.000.00(GBP) shared among the three international winners in the category A. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 100,000 companies/individuals from Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, America, Asia, Europe and North America as part of our International Promotions Program, which is conducted annually.


CONGRATULATIONS!

Your fund is now deposited with a Security company insured in your name.


Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award strictly from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your account. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program.


We hope with a part of you prize, you will participate in our end of year high stakes £10 Million (GBP) international lotto.

To begin your claim, please respond back to your claims agent;


Mr. Martin Davis

Email: agentmartin@myway.com


He will brief you on steps to be taken for due processing and remittance of your prize money. Remember, you must contact him using his mailing address not later than two weeks after this date or funds will be returned as unclaimed.

You are required to forward the following details to him as regards the processing of your claims and certificate to enable the release of your winnings.


1. Full names................................................


2. Residential address.......................................


3. Phone number..............................................


4. Fax number................................................


5. Occupation................................................


6. Sex.......................................................


7. Age.......................................................


8. Nationality...............................................


Please note that your funds have been deposited safely in a security firm in Europe, and your information will be forwarded to them before they can release your winnings.

After you have sent down this information, a certificate will be prepared for you. This is to be your proof of winning from this office to the payment center before they release your funds. You are advised to keep your winning numbers to yourself to avoid unscrupulous elements from taking advantage of the situation.


NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference number in every one of your correspondences.


Ticket number 13-2316-5086-477

Serial number A025-09

Lucky numbers 37-13-34-85-56-87

File REF NO. VHFL/67-AO91652006


Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.


Sincerely,

Dr. Ian Dungavell

PROMOTION DIRECTOR,

VICTORIAN HERITAGE FUND LOTTERY


N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the Winners will result to disqualification.










- Victorian Heritage

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam