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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "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.
  • +447092882415 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +447024097978 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: MICHAEL LEXINGTON <claimsofficer201@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 21:57:29 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: ADVICE TO FILL AND SUBMIT YOUR PAYMENT RELEASE FORM




Jackpot category winner
Ref: UK/1O32X9/LHM
Batch: 100/BKU10/TYN204

12th of February 2007

Dear Winner,

This is upon the receipt of your email and you are therefore advised to fill the payment release form as soon as possible to enable us attend to your file. Please note that your funds have been deposited safely in security firm in Europe, and your information will be forwarded to them before they can release your winnings.

=====================================================================================
APPLICATION FOR PRIZE PAYMENT RELEASE FORM - E (Receipt Official Notification Letter)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FULL NAME OF WINNER]...................................................
[RESIDENT ADDRESS]......................................................
[COUNTRY/ REGION]..................
[STATE].............................
[DATE OF BIRTH]...../...../......... [SEX]..........
[OCCUPATION]........................
[CURRENT EMAIL].....................
[TEL/FAX]...........................
===========================================================================
WINNING INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Ref Number:]........................
[Batch Number:]................ [DATE]..................................
===========================================================================
CLAIMANT SIGNATORY DECLARATION.

I ..................................... Declare as one of the lotto prize winner that all information I have provided for my winning claims are true and correct information of myself. I agree with the NATIONAL LOTTERY ONLINE Euro-Millions International policy and regulation in line with my lottery claims.

===========================================================================
Please indicate "X" for the option you want your prize remitted to you.

Listed below is our payment modalities and option of payment.
(1) BY COURIER DELIVERY OF YOUR PRIZE CHEQUE: […………]
(2) BY ONLINE SWIFT/TELEGRAPHIC BANK TRANSFER:[…………]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are to send alongside with your Details and option, a medium of identification;either your drivers license or international passport should be attached to your email.

This should be carried out within the next 48 hours up on receipt of this email Notification.

Once again congratulations from all members of staff of the NATIONAL LOTTERY.

Best Regards
Mr. Michael Lexington
FIDUCIARY AGENT.
PHONE: +44 702 409 7978
+44 702 409 7959
Fax: +447092882415




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam