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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:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "foreign service manager" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +27730717145 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
  • +27866587654 (South Africa, 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.
  • ottery@winning.com
  • lotterywinning@k.ro

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Smith Adams" <smithadams@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: lotterywinning@k.ro
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:05:56 +0100
Subject: CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT

Attn: Sir,

With Reference to the Confirmation of your mail, Be Advised to Contact your Claim Agent with the below information’s he is at the best position to Advise you on how your can claim your winning Fund.

MR. THEMBI .K. NKONNOH.
Tel +27-73-071-7145
Fax +27-86-658-7654
Email: l-ottery@winning.com
Email: lotterywinning@k.ro
Foreign Service Manager,
No 23 Henley roads,
2nd floor sabc Radio Park,
Building p.o box 91711,
Auckland Park 2006,
South Africa

Yours Faithfully,

DR. SMITH ADAMS

DIRECTOR OF PROMOTION

CRYSTAL GLOBAL LOTTERY PTY (LTD)

 

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam