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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "fiduciary 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 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.
  • +447031842888 (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.
  • fortunesweepstakesdpt_richard@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "fortune sweepstakes" <fortunesweepstakes_noticez8@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 13:15:52 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

Fortune Sweepstakes
40 Victoria Street
Hertfordshire, AL1 3TG
United Kingdom
Ref: FTS/745/06
Batch: 308867KC

 

Dear Sir/Madam,
                                    WINNING NOTIFICATION
   Over the years the prestigious Fortune Sweepstakes has set out and sucessfully organised Sweepstakes on a daily, weekly, and annual basis. We have equally maintained a standard unrivaled in the industry as it concerns the pay out of winnings to sucessful participants.
 In line with the commemorating event marking our 10th year anniversary we rolled out over £2,000.000.00 (Two Million Great Britain Pounds)for our 10th year Anniversary Draws. Participants for the draws were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of web hosts which enjoy our patronage. The selection was made through a computer draw system attaching personalised email addresses to ticket numbers.Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached to ticket number 001768432463 with serial numbers FTS/8070337201/06 and drew the lucky numbers 15-22-24-48-50-37(30) which subsequently won you £250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Great Britain Pounds) as one of the 10 jackpot winners in this draw.
You have therefore won the entire winning sum of £250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Great Britain Pounds). The draws registered as Draw number one was conducted in Brockley, London United Kingdom on the 28th of sept 2006. These lottery Draws are commemorative and as such special. Please be informed by this winning notification to make contact with your designated agent who shall by duty guide you through the process to facilitate the release of your winnings.

 

To file for your claim please contact your fiduciary agent,

 

Mr.Richard Briggs
Fortune Sweepstakes Fiduciary Agent
Tel:+447031842888
        447024054666
Fax:+448709743032
        448704796206
Email:fortunesweepstakesdpt_richard@yahoo.co.uk

 

You are advised to contact your fiduciary agent with the following details to avoid unnecessary delays and complications. Your Name (in Full), Country, Ticket Number, Batch Number, Serial Number and Lucky Numbers as indicated in this winning Notification. I wish to on behalf of all members and staff of the Fortune Sweepstakes congratulate you on your win and wish you the best of luck as you spend your good fortune. Thank you for being part of our commemorative 10th Anniversary Draws.
Sincerely,
Dr. Albert Maringer
Fortune Sweepstakes Co-ordinator.
NB: PLEASE NOTE! Any claim not made before seven (7) working days from date of notification will indicate that the winner has voluntarily forfeitedhis/her winnings.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam