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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:
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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "fiduciary 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: "Mrs. Tinalo Walter" <goodfellas_africa@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: maiskaili@o2.pl
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 16.32.54 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Italian Lottery Headquarters:
CUSTOMER SERVICE
VIA.SS.V.5
APOSTOLI 49_00187
ROMA ,ITALY.
Ref: TTL/491OXI/06
Batch:28 /07/06.


WINNING NOTIFICATION


Sir,


We happily announce to you the draw of the ltalian Lottery International programs held on the 28th of July, 2006 in Roma ITALY. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 564 75600545-188 with serial number 5388/02 drew the lucky numbers: 31-6-26-13-35-7,which subsequently won you the lottery in the first (1st) category. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of 2,500,000.00.Euro(Two million Five Hundred Euro), in cash credited to file lTH/9080118308/06 made available from a total cash prize of $125 Million Euro, shared amongst the first Fifty (50) lucky winners in this category. This years Lottery Program Jackpot is the largest ever for ltalian Lottery. The estimated 125 million jackpot would be the sixth-biggest in ltalian history. The biggest was the 363 million Euro jackpot that went to two winners in a Jun 2005, draw of The Big Game, Mega Millions' predecessor. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our booklet re
presentative office in Europe as indicated in our play coupon. In view of this, your 2,500,000.00 Euro . would be released to you by our affiliate Bank . Our agent will immediately commence the facilitation of release of funds to you as soon as you establish contact. All participants were selected randomly from world wide web sites through a computer Database drawn system and extracted from over 100,000 companies. This promotion takes place annually. This is part of precautionary measures to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. Please be warned. To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent with the below details for processing of your claims.

AGENT: MAISER KAILINO

Email: (maiskaili@o2.pl )

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with our designated agent. Congratulations once more from all members and staff of this program.
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs. Tinalo Walters.

Zonal Coordinator

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam