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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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.
  • +447024091578 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +447045714656 (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.
  • crowncourierdeliveryservice@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: Mercedes Benz Award <info_processingclaims12@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:27:07 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT THE COURIER SERVICE



THE LOTTERY DEPARTMENT
MERCEDES-BENZ
22 Garden Close, Stamford,
Lincs, PE9 2YP, London
United Kingdom.

REF No:VM12052007/21.
SECRET PIN CODE:X7PWZ2007.

Dear Winner,

Congratulation once again from the MERCEDES-BENZ Company, this is to formerly notify you that after the verification process was conducted, I wish to inform you that the Administrative department and promotions department has just approved your payment of the tune of £500,000.00 Five Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds) a cheque of the said sum has been written in your name, Your certificate of winnings and your form b1 (otherwise known as the clearance certificate) and along side the keys and the documents of shipment of your brand new MERCEDES-BENZ car has been compiled in a package and sent to our official security courier services in your favour.

Further more be informed that you will have to contact the security courier company whom are to deliver the entire necessary document that is of high importance to you including your winning cheque, So i expect you to show great appreciation to MERCEDES-BENZ who have single handedly made this event possible in other to promote the use of MERCEDES-BENZ cars in every corners of the world.Incase you still have doubts arising from the issue of how you got selected ,Note that the selection process was carried out through an electronic email ballot system, our aim was to select winners through the internet which will be a much more easier way due to the fact that only you alone have access to your email so have no fear, for you have emerged a winner as far as you are the original proprietor to the email address which you have received the notification letter which was distributed by Mr. Henry Hills the lottery manger of this great promotion event .

However to begin with the claiming process I strongly advise you contact the security courier company who will be responsible in the shipment of your package ,you will be expected to bear the cost of delivery because you are a non-national which I don't think is a problem to you and be also aware that your winnings came with a hard cover insurance policy protecting it so no harm or deduction can be done to your winnings.In receipt of your winning cheque you are expected to deposite it in your personal bank account and I can assure you the entire Five hundred thousand pounds sterling’s you have won will be remitted into your account in not more than three to four banking days.Your car has being shipped with the help of Mercedes-Benz and once your car get to your destination their agent will invite you to claim the car with the shipment paper and car document that is presently inside the package you have with the courier company .And as soon as you present the documents
on getting there the car will be given to you, so please make sure you contact the courier company and provide them the details which they required in making the shipment.

So in the light of the above explanation, I wish to inform you that you are to immediately contact the courier company and provide to them your full details.And you are to provide to them the following information.
CLAIMS VERIFICATION FORM
1.Name in full
2.Address
3.Sex
4.Nationality
5. Age
6.Occupation
7.Phone/Fax


/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
CROWN COURIER PLC. Unit 11, Ashford
Industrial Estate, Shield Road, Ashford,
Middlesex, TW15 1AU, London .
United Kingdom .
Enquiries: +44 70457 14656, +44 70111 53186
Email:crowncourierdeliveryservice@yahoo.co.uk
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Once again, keep us posted on any development with the courier Company, in relation to your lottery winnings.


Congratulations once again.

Best Regards,

Mr. David Smith,
Contact Processing Officer,
Tell:+447024091578.







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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam