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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
• 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.
  • +447031957038 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Charles M. Beckman" <beckmanclam1@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 11:06:28 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CLAIMS VERIFICATION FORM




From the Desk of Charles Beckman
Toyota Car Promotions
Haandvaerkervej 8,1 UK-9000 Aalborg
CVR-nr. 25554493.

Pin Code: TY7448500
Ref. No.: 799BV90

CLAIMS VERIFICATION FORM

Dear Rainhard Schwatzer,
Good day to you and thanks for your mail. Be informed that you won the lottery sequel to the random computer selection of your email address which drew one of the lucky numbers in our Lottery. I wish to inform you that your case file is being processed and I am personally in-charge of the processing of your claims.

I am the Public Relations and Client Services Executorship Officer of the Toyota Lottery Boardanisation and I assist winners with the processing of their Claims. Henceforth, Please do not act or take any decision in isolation without prior notification, clarification and approval from me because I do not want any thing that will delay or scuttle your claims payment.

I know it is your desire to receive your claims in the soonest possible time. I assure you that I will assist you to make that desire happen. I am and will always be favorably disposed towards assisting you. I have initiated the computation of all the paperwork/data pertaining to your Lottery claims.


Please attached here is the Claim Verification Form, which you are expected to fill and submit back immediately via e-mail:
(Form HLP)

FULL NAME:..........................................................
FULL ADDRESS:......................................................
SEX:.............................
AGE:......................
OCCUPATION:.............................
TEL:........................................FAX:................................. (If any)
COUNTRY:...................................
HAVE YOU A PASSPORT OR LICENCE............. (identification on delivery)

Upon reciept of the above data, you will be given further instructions neccesary for you to claim your winnings. Feel free to call me on telephone: +44-703-195-7038 for any further clarifications.

Yours sincerely,
Charles Beckman
Claims Agent
Fax: +44-709-287-3205







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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam