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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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!

Fraud email example:

From: Eamon Brown <e_brown01@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 11:51:08 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Your Reference and Batch Number


Hello

We officially acknowledged the receipt of your email message of enquiry and extend a very warm congratulation to you for your lucky prize awards.

Hence, we have satisfactorily confirmed your lottery prize awards and to enable us dispense our duties and obligations accordingly for the processing and payment of your award winning, you are obliged to provide to this office the following as set forth:

Your Reference and Batch Number As Contained In The Letter Informing You Of Your Winning.

The moment we received this information, we shall proceed immediately with your payment arrangements and forward to you a Form, for your endorsement which would enable us prepare your winning certificate TO authorize the release of your prize awards winning.

We pledge our best services at all times.

Warm Regards,
MR. Eamon Brown
Claims Agent.
Programs & Events Department

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam