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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.
  • +447011146900 (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.
  • garycole_agent@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "bmw lottery dept." <WEBDNXIEV401@prodigy.net>
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:45:16 -0800
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU'RE OUR WINNER


THE LOTTERY DEPARTMENT BMW
Automobiles
22 Garden Close, Stamford,
Lincs, RG21 6XS, London
United Kingdom

Dear Winner,

This is to inform you that you have been selected as a
winner for a cash prize of £475,000.00! (four hundred
and seventy-five thousand Great British Pounds) and a
brand new BMW 5 Series Car from International programs
held on the 13th february,2007 in London Uk.

Description of prize vehicle;
Year: 2006
Model: 530iA
Color (exterior/interior): Black Sapphire
Metallic/Black Leather
Mileage: 5
Transmission: Automatic 6 Speed
Options: Cold weather package, premium package, fold
down rear seats w/ski bag, am fm stereo with single in
dash compact disc player.

The selection process was carried out through random
selection in our computerized email selection ballot
system from a database of over 250,000 email addresses
drawn from all the continents of the world which yours
and nine others were selected as the winners.

The BMW Lottery is approved by the British Gaming
Board and also Licensed by the The International
Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). This
promotional lottery is the 4th of its kind and we
intend to sensitize the public.

To begin the processing of your prize you are to
contact our fiduaciary claims agent for more
infomation as regards procedures to claim your prize.
===================================================
BMW LOTTERY DEPARTMENT UK
7 DOCK WAY, SEFTON BUSINESS
PARK
LONDON, T40 4RT
United Kingdom

GARY COLE
Email:garycole_agent@yahoo.co.uk
phone number +447011146900
===================================================
Contact him by please providing him with your secret
pin code x7pwyz2007 and your Reference Number
BMW:5670425503/22.You are also advised to provide him
with the under listed informations as soon as possible:

1.Name (in full):
2.Address:
3.Nationality:
4.Age:
5.Occupation:
6.Phone/Fax:
7.Country of Residence:
8.Short comment on your occupation. [optional]:
9.Fax [optional]:
10.Email address:
11.Annual income:
==================================================
Please you are to provide him with the above listed
details as soon as possible so he can begin with the
processing of your prize winnings.

Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you
for being part of our promotional program.

Mrs. Diana Bruise
THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS
BMW LOTTERY DEPARTMENT
UNITED KINGDOM

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam