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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
• 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.
  • +34665303875 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: LOTERIA NACIONAL <alcancefinanciero@zwallet.com>
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 20:20:00 +0200
Subject: AWARD NOTIFICATION



C/SAN PEZ ANCATARA 24. DATE: 15-05 -2006
08905 BARCELONA - SPAIN
TELEFAX: 0034 652-240-251
FROM THE DESK OF MANAGING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF: EUS/2451217403/03
BATCH: 20/2617/IPC
RE: AWARD FINAL NOTIFICATION.
We are pleased to inform you the released results of the EL GORDO DE NAVIDAD SPANISH SWEEPSTAKE LOTTERY/INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION PROGRAMS held on the 22ND JULY 2004.
Your name was attached to a ticket number 025 - 11464992 - 750 with serial number 2113 - 10 drew the lucky numbers 2 4 6 3 5 which consequently won the lottery in the 2nd category.
You have therefore been approved for lump sum pay out of € 960.000,00 (NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND EUR ONLY) in cash credited to file REF Nº: EUS/2451217403/03. This is from total cash prize of €7.680,000.000.00 (SEVEN BILLION, SIX HUNDRED AND EIGHTY MILLION EURO) shared among the eight international winners in this category.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your fund is now deposited to your name. Due to the mixed up of numbers and names, we ask you to keep this award top secret from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your account as this is a part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unwarranted taking advantage of this program by participants.
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 40,000 names from Europe, America, Australia, Asia, and North America as part of our international promotions program, which we conduct once every year. We hope with a part of your prize, you will take part in our end of year high stake € 1.3 billion International Lottery.
To begin your claim please contact your claims agent, MR. RAFAEL MANUELO The Foreign Services Manager of ALCANCE FINANCIERO S.L on Tel:+34 665 303 875, Fax: +34 940 460 501, for processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice. Remember that all prize money must be claimed not later than 29TH MAY 2006. After this date, all funds will be returned to the Ministry de Economic y Hacienda as unclaimed.
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference, batch and prize claim track numbers in every of your correspondence with us or your agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of tour address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations again from all members of our staff and thank you for being a part of our promotions program.
Sincerely.
DON FRANSCISCO MUÑOZ. PRIZE CLAIM TRACK
MANAGING DIRECTOR. Nº: 1151184721

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam