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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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

• 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.
  • +34636734399 (Spain, 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.
  • chistoperweeks@yahoo.es

Fraud email example:

From: Combin Acionganadora Lottery Spain Valencia <combinaciongana@aim.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 22:29:21 +0200
Subject: Combin Acionganadora Lottery Spain Valencia

Combin Acionganadora Lottery Spain Valencia
Ref. Number:M-Spa-00-4166
Batch Number: 695-552-33-Bc68
Email:combinacionganadoralottery@ozu.es
Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 12th
of September 2006 Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 27522-6453 with serial number
3772-554 drew lucky numbers 9-24-18-23-31-45 which consequently won in the 2nd category,you have
therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of $ 2,000,000(Two Millions
Dollars)CONGRATULATIONS!!! Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your
winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you.
This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by
some participants.All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over
20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.This
promotional program takes place every three year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by eminent
personalities like Bill Gates and the Sultan of Brunei, we hope with part of your winning you will take part
in our next year Euro 20 million international lottery.To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial agent
Mr.Chistoper Weeks AND ASSOCIATES SPAIN. TELEPHONE 0034-636734399 in Valencia Reply
Email:combinacionganadoralottery@ozu.es Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 28th of
September 2006 After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.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. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of
our promotional program.Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Sincerely yours,
Mr Chistoper Weeks
Email:chistoperweeks@yahoo.es
Lottery Coordinator.
Tel:0034-636734399
Email:combinacionganadoralottery@ozu.es

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam