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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:
  • "fudiciary" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "cheque " (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!
• 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.
  • +447024026655 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: harldy ben <fiduciary_claimoffice08@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 11:40:13 +0100 (BST)
Subject: YOUR WINNINGS/CLAIM PROCESSING FORM


THE NATIONAL LOTTERY
(CUSTOMER SERVICE)






ATTN: Winner,

I am Mr. Ben Harldy, your claims/fudiciary officer, I wish to Congratulate you on your success, you are a lucky person to have won this lottery. You have won 634,310GBP.

This is a promotional draw which officially launches the new system. With funds accrued exclusively from previous draws,payouts to all winners are guaranteed and will be transferred in record time.

This correspondence officially confirms that we are in receipt of instructions relating to the payment of your lottery winnings. Please complete the form below with correct information and email back to us with a return email.Looking forward to your swift response.

Yours Faithfully,
Ben Harldy
Phone: +44-702-402-6655

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE SUPPLIED COMPREHENSIVELY BY THE BENEFICIARY OF THE STATED FUND RETURNED BACK TO ME, FOR VERIFICATION BEFORE TRANSFER.


1.FULL NAMES OF BENEFICIARY: 2.RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: 3.DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: 4.PHONE/FAX NUMBERS: 5.NAME AND ADDRESS OF NEXT OF KIN: 6.SEX: 7.OCCUPATION: 8.MARITAL STATUS: 9.NATIONALITY:

PAYMENT MODE: OPTIONS
1.WINNER COMING TO OUR PAYMENT OFFICE FOR PRIZE CLAIM.. 2.CERTIFIED CHEQUE MADE OUT IN YOUR NAME COURIERED TO YOU VIA OUR AFFILIATE COURIER COMPANY AND WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOUR ADDRESS.
NOTE:BENEFICIARIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSFER CHARGES. PLEASE INDICATE OPTION THAT BEST SUITS YOU.

DECLARATION:
I...............HEREBY DECLARE THAT THE ABOVE DATA ARE TRUE. IN CASE OF ANY UNFORSEEN CIRCUSTANCE,MY NEXT OF KIN HAS THE RIGHT TO CLAIM MY TOTAL WINNINGS.(SUPER STANDARD AGENT) SHALL ACT AS MY AGENT IN FACILITATING THE TRANSFER OF THE TOTAL FUND TO ME.
DATE--------
========================================================
This email and its attachments are confidential and intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s).This email and its attachments may also be privileged or protected by legal rules. If you have received this by mistake please let us know by reply immediately and/or destroy the email and its attachments without reading, copying or forwarding the contents.











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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam