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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!
• 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.
  • +447024054577 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: nelson akeem <nelsonakeem2006@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 09:34:59 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS/DETAILS.


WESTERN ATLANTIC CONSULTANCY.
9,GREBE COURT
DEPTFORD,
LONDON SE8 5UG,
UNITED KINGDOM.
Tel:+44-70240-54577.
15TH JUNE,2006.

ATTN:Madras House.

Thanks for your mail response as regards your winning
prize in the international lottery organized by the Hall
Mark Lottery International in which your email address
is among the randomly/successfully choosen as one of
the lucky winners.

I received your email. This is to let you know that we
will be happy to represent you in the collection of
your winnings. We have successfully represented other
winners in the past two years.

I am obliged to assist you in the processing of your
claim. I will be your claims agent. You will be
liasing with me until your prize winning is processed
and paid to you..

However, you will be required to provide me
with some authorisation and further information.
Please provide me with the following information to
enable us resume the processing of your winnings prize.
1.Date of Birth.
2.full address.
3.Your reference number,ticket and winning number to
avoid wrong claim.
4.Any Photo Identity.(OPTIONAL)as other important
information has been noted for the purpose of your claim.

Your telephone and fax line, will help alot in my Communication
with you ,your email address is still in order for the same purpose.
Once the following details are received we will forward to you,
your winning certificate which is very important for the purpose
of your claim and you will be instructed on next step to follow.

Call me for further details as we are always at our clients service.

I await your prompt compliance.Please, expedite your
action with respect to the above requirements.

Yours Faithfully,
Nelson Akeem.
(W.A.C.)


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam