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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "insurance fee " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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 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.
  • terrycole1950@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Angela Bolton" <terrycole1950@netscape.net>
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 04:24:01 +0100
Subject: Your Claim


Sir/Madam,

We are happy to inform of the release of the lottery winners
international program held on the 5th of March 2006. Of the entire 17
finalist playing 6,000 tickets, your name & email address attached to
ticket number 27522465896-6453 with serial number 3772-554 drew lucky
numbers 2-7-14-18-31-45 which consequently won in the 2ND category.
You have therefore been approved the winner for a lump sum payout of
$1,750,000.00 CONGRATULATIONS!!! Note this is a tax-free winning. You
are not to pay any taxes to the British government, except for the
insurance fee which must be paid before the release of your winning.
All participants were selected through the computer ballot system
drawn from all other European lottery institute which over
3,000,000.00 individual's world wide participated.

The program which was designated and promoted by Australia Lottery and
some other international lottery institutes that include Elgardo, UK
lottery e.t.c. has been the biggest ever played in the world, which
aimed at changing the lives of millions of people. We hope with part
of your winning you will take part in our next year 450 million
dollars lottery program.

To help us proceed with your claim this information must be kept
confidential and away from publicity to avoid unwarranted abuse of
this program or fraudulent act from criminals and unauthorised
individuals. Also, be informed that 10% of your lottery winnings will
go to UK BONDS AND CREDITORS, as they are the company that bought your
ticket and played the lottery on your behalf.

To begin your claim, you are advised to contact you claims agent, Dr
Terry Cole via email terrycole1950@netscape.net Remember to quote the
numbers below to your agent along with your ticket number, ticket
serial number and your lucky number.

Ref. Number: AGB/132/756/4509
Batch Number: 57214/675/1
Audit control Number: D2A610
ID Number: 008 1120 41 104

Finally your winning must be claimed within 30 days of this notice. All
unclaimed funds after this time frame will be declared as unclaimed
and carried over to the next stake. Please note, in other to avoid
unnecessary delays, you are advised to follow all instructions given
to you by your claims agent. Should there be any change of address do
inform us as soon as possible.

Congratulations from our members of staff and thank you for being part
of our program.

Sincerely

Angela Bolton
(Head of international promos.)

Note: ALL CASH PAYMENT WILL BE VERIFIED AUTOMATICALLY AND FORWARDED TO
YOU UPON CONFIMATION. CONDITIONS APPLIED.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam