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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "deadline" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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!

Fraud email example:

From: <web12123@centrum.cz>
Date:
Subject: THE Euro Million lottery award 2007.


THE Euro Million lottery award 2007.
Pol.Lasao, Area Anardi
155, 28090 Madrid. Spain Branch. Dear Sir/Madam We are pleased to inform you of the result of the recent  Euro million  lottery draw held on the of 17th January 2007. Your e-mail address  attached to(¡) Batch. Nº: EULO/2907/444/908/06.
(¡¡) Ticket No: WRNM/SMI/5990
(¡¡¡) Lucky No: 10-23-44-72-80
(iv) Serial No: MUOTI/82536
(v)Ref. Nº: ESM/WIN/008/05/10/MAwhich consequently won the draw in the Second category. You have been  approve for the star prize of $ 950,000.00 (Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand united state dollars. Only)You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you. This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may tell as we have had cases like this before, please send your Full Name, Home and Office Tel &amp; Fax Number, Mobile Tel Number and your winning ticket number, reference numbers and amount won information for processing of your winning fund to our registered claim agent in address below:  National AgencyDr.philips weeks
Address: Avda .Del Petroleo 222 Polig
Madrid Spain.
E-mail: remittance5058@aim.comMrs Emily Luisa
Group cordinator.
deadline line for claimimg your winning prize 28nd febuary 2007

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam