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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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.
  • +447014218455 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Cole Anderson <fudiciaryclaimsagentvs@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:08:08 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CIONTACT THE DELIVERY SERVICE FOR YOUR CLAIMS.


UK-LOTTO Headquarters:
United Kingdom
Customer Service
Ref: UK/9420X2/68 AY
Batch #: 074/05/ZY369 AY

Dear Winner,

Thanks for your mail. Your email address was selected from the online email draw and luckily your email fall between. as you are a luck winner .follow the next procedure below.

I am glad to inform you that the Lottery Verifications and Claim Department has cleared you as a bonafide winner of the The National Lottery PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD. The next step would be for your winning Documents which consist of the original copies of your Winning Certificate, Letter of Affidavit of Claims,Tax Clearance Certificate and Money Laundering Protection Document,to be forwarded to you along with your Certified Cheque.

FULL NAMES:...........................................................
CONTACT ADDRESS:................................................
CITY/STATE:..............................................................
COUNTRY:..................................................................
NATIONALITY:............................................................
SEX:.......................AGE:............................................
MARITAL STATUS......................................................
TEL NO:......................................................................
NEXT OF KIN:..............................................................
AMOUNT WON:............................................................
REFENCE NO:................BATCH NO:.............................
LUCKY NO:..................TICKET NO................................
SERIAL NO:.................LOTTERY DATE:........................
Below is the Name of the Delivery Agency and you are expected to
forward your Claim Verification Form to:


Delivery Agency: SWIFT COURIER DELIVERY SERVICE LTD
Contact Person: JOHN MARK
Email Address: swiftcouriers@gotierra.net
website: www.swiftcourier.page.tl
Telephone Num: +44-701-421-8455
+44-701-421-8456
+44-701-421-7245

Dr.John Mark is the Delivery/Dispatch Officer, responsible for sending you the original copies of your Winning Documents as soon as your meet their requirements for effective delivery of your National Lottery /PRIZE AWARD.
Note: You will be required to settle the courier charges which the sending of your winnings cheque will incur, this is because the total amount has been insured to the real value and as such cannot be deducted from your cheque amount. This is in accordance with section 13(1) (n) of the national gambling act as adopted in 1993 and amended on 3RD July 1996 by the constitutional assembly

This is to protect Winners and to avoid misappropriation of funds. Its is imperative that you add your BATCH NUMBERS as the subject of any correspondence with the courier company to ensure they respond in a timely manner. If you have any questions dont forget to get back to us.
And I do hope you will consider me for a little bonus after you have recieved your winnings.



STATE YOUR NAME AS IT SHOULD APPEAR ON PRIZE CHEQUE .When claiming
prize, you must provide proof of identity that exactly matches your name as typed below.

Please note the following:
1. All claims are nullified after 20 working days from today.
2. Your Reference number must be in all your mails with the claims
officer.
3. Do inform the claims officer of any change of names or addresses.
4. Please do not reply to this email. Contact your Delivery agent.
This international promotion is proudly sponsored by Yahoo! Inc. to
encourage the use of the Internet and computers worldwide. We are proud
to say that over 200 Million Pounds are won annually in more than 150
countries worldwide.
Congratulations once again from all members and staff of this program
and thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.
Yours Respectfully,
Cole Anderson





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam