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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:
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• 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.
  • +447031845866 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • info_customer_services@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: heritagelottery1@comcast.net (Heritage Lottery)
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 12:52:30 +0000
Subject: DEAR WINNER:CONGRATULATIONS!!!

HERITAGE LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL,
UNITED KINGDOM.
GAMBLING BOARD OF GREAT BRITAIN
LICENSED. ONLINE BALLOT LOTTERY
(Registration 70339411).
REGISTERED UNDER THE DATA PROTECTION ACT.
HERITAGE LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.
P.O Box 1103
Asbury Street, Creek Road, Deptford, London SE8
Tel:+44(0)702 305 3577
REF NO: HLP/200-26937
BATCH: 2005MJL-01

ELECTRONIC MAIL AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION. AWARD PRESENTATION CENTER: UNITED KINGDOM
( NO TICKET SOLD) We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today of winners of the HERITAGE MEGA JACKPOT LOTTERY WINNINGS PROGRAMS held on 27th September 2006.Your company or your personal e-mail address, is attached to winning number 12-14-16-35-40-24, With serial number S/N-12678,consequently won in the sixth lottery category.
You are therefore been approved for lump sums pay out of GBP £5,500,000.00 POUNDS in cash Credited to file REF NO: HLP/200-26937 and winning number 12-14-16-35-40-24 , this is from total prize money of GBP £ 27,500,000.00 POUNDS,shared among the Twenty (5) international winners in this category.

All participants were selected through our Microsoft computer ballot system drawn form 21,000 Names, 3,000 names from each continent, as part of International "E-MAIL" Promotions Program, for the Continues use of E-mail.
The Heritage Lottery Promotions International UK (HLP) was set up by Parliament in 1994 to give grants to a wide range of projects involving the local, regional and national heritage of the United Kingdom. We distribute a share of the money raised by the National Lottery for Good Causes.

Your funds has been insured with your REF NO: HLP/200-26937 and winning number 12-14-16-35-40-24. Your E-mail address should be used in all correspondence with your claims officer,Please note that, you are to contact your claims officer immediately,as we have already spelled out to you the necessary procedures on how to claim Your prize.

Please complete the form below with correct information and email back to us with a return email. Looking forward to your urgent reply.

THIS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE BENEFICIARY OF THE STATED FUND, FOR VERIFICATION BEFORE TRANSFER.
1.BENEFICIARY FIRST NAME........................................
2.BENEFICIARY LAST NAME:...........................
3.RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:...................
4.DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH:.............................
5.TEL. NUMBER:.............................
6.FAX NUMBER:....................
7.EMAIL ADDRESS:..........................
8.NEXT OF KIN NAME AND ADDRESS:.............................
9.AMOUNT TO TRANSFER:............................
10.OCCUPATION:...........................
11.MARITAL STATUS:..................

I...............................................................HEREBY DECLARE THAT THE ABOVE DATA ARE TRUE. IN CASE OF ANY UNFORSEEN CIRCUSTANCE,I SHALL ACT AS A BENEFICIARY IN FACILITATING THE TRANSFER OF THE TOTAL FUND TO .

DATE........................

(YOUR FULL NAMES)...............................................................................
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.

To claim your winning prize, you must first contact the claim officer and remittance of your prize money to you.The claim officer contact:
Mr.Laurence Martins
ALFA KAPITAL EQUITY FINANCAIL FIRM 77
Deansgate, Manchester, UK. M3 2BW
Email:info_customer_services@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile:+447031845866
Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than the 10TH October, 2006. All funds not Claimed on or before the fixed date will be penalized accordingly. Do email the above email addresses.

Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so desire. Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
At your disposal, we remain.
Very Truly Yours,
Mrs.Carole Souter.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam