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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "cheques " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash)
• 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: "Mr. Petter Frank" <mrpetterfrank@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:07:13 +0100 (BST)
Subject: UK NATIONAL LOTTERY DOCUMENTATION FORM.


The National Lottery
12 President Road,
P.O Box 1291
United Kingdom.
Ref: XYL/26510460036/06
Batch: 16/00318/IPD

Attn: Dear Lucky Winner,

This letter acknowledges the receipt of your email. Please be advised that this winning is a measure of universal development, which was geared up in accordance with the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY and also EUROPEAN UNION. So you are advised to use this winnings for an investment that you know will bring long lasting wealth to you and your family.

Your winning numbers have been entered into our computer system. It has been determined that you are a true beneficiary of the lottery on-line sweepstakes.You are then to proceed with the process of collecting your funds. Kindly note that all cheques written from each of the organisations combining to bring up this promotions are with this office (UK NATIONAL LOTTERY DOCUMENTATION OFFICE). This office has been given the order to handle the payment, and this office is also designated for information and documentation of your winning.

The UK national lottery has discovered a huge number of double claims due to winners informing close friends relatives and third parties about their winning and also sharing their pin numbers. As a result of this, this friends try to claim the lottery on behalf of the real winners.

The UK national lottery losses millions of pounds on this fraudulent people, and has reached a decision from headquarters that any double claim discovered by the UK national lottery will result to the Lottery office cancelling that particular winning, making a loss for both the double claimer and the real winner, as it is taken that the real winner was the informer to the double claimer about the lottery. So you are hereby strongly advised once more to keep your winnings strictly confidential until you can claim your Price.

Below you will find a Documentation Form, requesting your required particulars. You are to immediately fill the form and return as soon as possible.

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY DOCUMENTATION FORM.

FULL NAMES:_________________
ADDRESS: ___________________
CITY:_________________________
STATE:______________________
COUNTRY____________________
SEX:_______________
AGE:__________________
MARITAL STATUS:_________________
OCCUPATION:________________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS:___________________
TICKET NUMBER:___________________
SERIAL NUMBER:__________________
AMOUNT WON:____________________
NATIONALITY______________________

Upon receipt of this information's, I will begin the processing of all the documents that will facilitate the clearance of your cheque. All information's is strictly confidential and will only be used for the purpose to which it is been requested

Sincerely,
Mr. Petter Frank.
Fiduciary Agent.
© 2006 UK National Lottery. All rights reserved


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam