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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• 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 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.
  • gtclaimss2005@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: gt lotto <gtlottoltd2007@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2007 05:42:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS LUCKY WINNER(YOU WON $500,000


GT-LOTTO Headquarters:
Customer Service
Ref RED/26510460037/03
Batch: 538901528-BC68

WINNING NOTIFICATION:
We happily announce to you the draw of the GT-LOTTO
Sweepstake Lottery International programs held on the
5th of january 2007 in LEEDS UNITED-KINGDOM. Your
e-mail address attached to ticket number:
370982217413-7240 with Serial number 4708-325 drew the
lucky numbers: 2-34-28-13-41, which subsequently won
you the lottery in the 2nd category. You have
therefore been approved to claim a total sum
of US$500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars) in cash credited to file
ktu/9023118308/03.This is from a total cash prize of
US $5 Million dollars,
shared amongst the first Ten(10) lucky winners in this
category. All participants were selected randomly from
World Wide Web site through computer draw system and
extracted from over 100,000 companies. This promotion
takes place annually.Please note that your lucky
winning number falls within our European booklet
representative office in Europe as indicated in your
play coupon. In view of this, your US$500,000.00 (Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) will be
released to you by our payment office in Europe.Our
European agent will immediately commence the process
to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you
contact her.For security reasons, you are advised to
keep your winning information confidential till your
claims is processed and your money remitted to you in
whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This
is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double
claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
unscrupulous elements.This promotional program takes place every three years.
This lottery was promoted and ponsored by eminent
personalities like Mr. Bill Gates and the Sultan of
Brunei, we hope with part of your winnings you will take
part in our next years 50 million Dollars international
lottery. Please be warned.To file for
your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Mrs.SUSAN WILLIAMS.
Email:gtclaimss2005@yahoo.com
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
quote your reference/batch numbers in any
correspondences with us or our designated
agent.Congratulations once more from all members and
staff of this program. Thank you for being part of our
promotional lottery program. TO ENABLE US SERVE YOU BETTER FILL IN THE SPACE
PROVIDED.
1.FULL
NAME:.............................................................................
2.:CONTACT
ADDRESS:.......... .....................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
3. .TELEPHONE:............................... FAX:
....................................
Sincerely,
MR KELVIN BLACKWELL




---------------------------------
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam