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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:
  • "fiduciary agent" (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.
  • +447011132685 (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.
  • scarletcourier.dispatchunit@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Uk Claims Dept <claims.uknationallotterydept@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2007 20:27:56 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Contact Payment Parastatal


Dear Winner,

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:CPEL/OWN/9876

I am pleased to announce that our successful first quarter of Fiscal Year 2006 will result in a record-breaking first quarter transfer the amount of 1,000,000 Pounds.

The process for claiming your win has been made very simple so that by the end of one week at most, you are assured of having received your cash prize of 1,000,000 Pounds. However, Scarlet Courier Delivery Services are responsible for sending you the your Certified Cheque and the original copies of the documents which will require your signature. When the documents are couriered to you, you would sign them and return them to the courier company, from there it would be forwarded to our Lottery headquarters. Please oblige to follow the Scarlet Courier instructions so the document can get to your present address on time.

You are to contact the Delivery officer of the Payment Parastatal with the following information below:

Courier Name: ScarLet Courier LTD.
Contact Person: Mr. Malcolm Williamson
Telephone: +447011132685
Fax: 00-448704791142
E-mail: scarletcourier.dispatchunit@yahoo.co.uk

You are required to give The Courier Company your Name, telephone number, Amount Won and address in case they need to contact you regarding the delivery. This information will not be kept by Scarlet Courier or used by any other third party.

Note: you are to quote your complete names, Ref/Identification Numbers,winning amount and your direct phone number so that they can honour your letter.

I will require a concise update on proceedings with the delivery department as soon as you are in contact with them. If you need any assistance whatsoever, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Once again I say congratulations.

Warm Regards,
Dr. Pinkett Griffin (Mr)
Fiduciary Agent/Logistic Officer.

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam