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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:

• 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:
  • "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.
  • ryanjohnson@jmail.co.za (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: William Robinson <mailbot@evenmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 10:35:08 -0700
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU HAVE WON 500,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS ONLY).


CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU HAVE WON 500,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS ONLY).

MARBLE LOTTERY,
Ref. Number: 639/898/002
Batch Number: 430456543-DD23

Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on AUGUST 2006.

Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 278541465006-4872 with serial Number 1772-554 drew lucky numbers 5-14-18-23-33-39 which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of 500,000.00 (Five hundred Thousand Pounds Only)

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Due to some controversial numbers and email addresses, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until you file for your claim. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
participants.

All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web through a computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 companies and 30,000,000 individual e-mail addresses from all over the World. This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by some eminent personalities who do not wish to declare their identity

For security reasons.To file for your claim, please contact your Claims Agent:

Mr RYAN JOHNSON
Email: ryanjohnson@jmail.co.za

Remember, all winning must be filed not later than 27TH AUGUST 2006. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Remember all winnings must be claimed not later than 27TH AUGUST 2006. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake In respect of our commitment towards helping the less previledge, we ask that you voluntarily contribute 1% of your Marble winnings to any charity organization you desire at your convinience.

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being a Winner in our promotional program.

Sincerely,
Mr William Robinson
Lottery Co-ordinator.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 years is automatically disqualified and all winnings

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam