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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:
  • "claims 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.
  • +31633773375 (Netherlands, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "EUROMILLIONSLOTTERY " <wineuro_m2004@rediffmail.com>
Date: 19 Nov 2006 15:02:42 -0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!


Euro Millions Lottery.
Sir/Madam
CONGRATULATIONS: YOU WON €1,000,000.00 EUROS.
We are pleased to inform you of the result of Euro Millions, which was Held on the 14th , November 2006.Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 22-18-34-45-67 (00-32)With Prize Number (match 5): 444000009 drew a prize of 1,000,000.00 (One Million Euros). This lucky draw came first in the 2nd Category of the Sweepstake.
You will receive the sum of 1,000,000.00 (One Million Euros) from our Authorized bank. Because of some mix-up with sweepstake prizes, including the time limited placed on the payment of your prize: €1,000,000.00 euros, we advice that you keep all information about this prize confidential until your funds: 1,000,000.00 Euros will be transferred to you .
You must adhere to this instruction, strictly, to avoid any delay with the release of your funds to your person. This program has been abused severally in past, so we are doing our best to forestall further occurrence of false claims.
This sweepstake was conducted under the watchful eyes of 8,000 spectators. Your e-mail address attached to e-ticket number 22-18-34-45-67 (00-32) was selected and; it came out first by an e-ballot draw from over 250,000 e-mail addresses (personal and corporate e-mail addresses). &nbsp;This program is sponsored by CFI to compensate faithful internet suffers around theglobe.
Congratulations for becoming one of the few lucky winners.With your permission, your e-mail will also be included in the nextSweepstake of 5 Million Euros.
You must claim our prize: €1,000,000.00 Euros not later than 7-days from the moment you receive this e-mail. In order to avoid unnecessary delays with your claim&nbsp; be advice to&nbsp; contact&nbsp; your claims agent through information below&nbsp; as soon as possible.
Attention: Victor Rudico.Tore mole 6A, 1075AZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands.E-mail:eurolotto_agent_nl@yahoo.caTelephone: +31-633-773-375.Fax:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; +31-84-721-9004
Furnish them with the following:(i) Your name(s),(ii) Your telephone and fax numbers(iii) Your contact address.(iv) Your winning information (including amount won).Congratulations !!!
Yours Faithfully,
Tiffani Van Pool (Ms.) CPA.Coordinator: Euro Millions.@ Copyright 2006 by De euro lotto, the Netherlands

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam