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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:
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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")
  • "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.
  • +447011129962 (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.
  • exportcourier@yahoo.co.uk
  • exportcourier@post.com

Fraud email example:

From: FIDUCIARY AGENT <agentwilliambrown_7@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 06:52:21 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT:EXPORT COURIER SERVICE FOR THE COST OF DELIVERY.





National Lottery
P O Box 1010
Liverpool, L70 1NL
UNITED KINGDOM
(Customer Services)
Ref: UK/9420X/05
Batch: 074/05/ZY369


ATTENTION: WINNER ,

CONGRATULATIONS!This is to inform you that you have been cleared a winner of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY online Sweepstakes International program. I am happy to inform you that i have forwarded your Original Certificate and your mode of prize collection to the courier company.Find below the details of the courier
company.

CONTACT:EXPORT COURIER SERVICE FOR DELIVERY
HEAD OFFICE : EXPORT COURIER SERVICE..
BR30-36 NEW PORT,CARDIFF
BRCF24 ODE, UNITED KINGDOM
NAME:MR ALEX WHITE(dispatch officer)

E-MAIL: exportcourier@yahoo.co.uk
E-MAIL: exportcourier@post.com

Fax:+448704793852
Fax:+448704793868
Tel:+447011129962
Tel:+447031949593


You are adviced to send the courier company a mail to their email address for their courier cost.When contacting them,you are to include this order number as your subject.Please you are advised to write down the order number and save it.

1.FULL NAMES: ________________________
2.ADDRESS:_________________________
3.SEX:____________________________
4.AGE:____________________________
5.MARITAL STATUS:_____________________
6.OCCUPATION:________________________
7.E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________________


8.PASSWORD:_____________________
9.ZIP CODE:__________________
10.TELEPHONE NUMBER:___________________________
11.FAX NUMBERS____________________
12.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL___________
13.AMOUNT WON:___________________________________
14.STATE:__________________________________
15.COUNTRY:________________________________
16.DATE OF DRAW:_________________________
17.ORDER NUMBER:___________V562725______________
INDICATE PREFERRED MODE OF PRIZE COLLECTION:
(A) CHEQUE
(B) DRAFT
(C) TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER
IF BY TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER
(Details of the account where you want your funds
transferred):
(A) CHEQUE :
________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Note: you are Quote your complete names,Ref/Batch Numbers and your direct phone number so that they can honour your letter.Once again i say congratulations and always inform me with your dealings with the courier
company.

Thanks,
CLAIMS AGENT.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam