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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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• 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:
  • "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.
  • +447014219774 (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.
  • elitecourieronlinedeliverydept@yahoo.dk

Fraud email example:

From: UK NATIONAL LOTTERY <info_uklotteryclaimsboard@yahoo.ie>
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:12:50 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Contact Elite Courier Company


UK NATIONAL LOTTERY
HEADQUARTERS The Marina
Offices, St Peters Yacht Basin,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE6 1HX England


ATTENTION :Winner

SERIAL No: S/N-00168

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 two weeks at most, you are assured of having received your cash prize of 1,000,000 Pounds. However, Elite Courier 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 Elite 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:


Contact Person: Mr Willaim Brown
Tell:+447014219774
Fax:+4470 7502 0632
E-mail: elitecourieronlinedeliverydept@yahoo.dk
You are to fill out this form below:

1.FULL NAMES:__________________________________
2.ADDRESS:_____________________________________________
3.SEX:_______________
4.AGE:________
5.MARITAL STATUS:___________________
6.OCCUPATION:________________________
7.E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________________________
8.TELEPHONE NUMBER:_____________________
9.AMOUNT WON:___________________________________
10. COUNTRY________________________________

This information will not be kept by Elite Courier Company or used by any other third party Do ensure to inform me of your further correspondence with the courier in order for me to advice you on further actions to take in ensuring that your winnings is successfully collected by you.

Note:Make sure you file your claims properly to the courier officer,winning prize,ticket number.At the time of payment of winning prize.


Yours


Sincerely,
Mr. John Campbell
Accredited Fiduciary Agent.
Confidentiality Notice:

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

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam