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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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.
  • rexfinn_astro@yahoo.com.au

Fraud email example:

From: "austropromo@terra.es" <austropromo@terra.es>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 21:16:58 +0200 (MEST)
Subject: Austro Promo- Congratulations


FROM: THE DESK OF THE COORDINATOR.
AUSTRO LOTT0 INTERNATIONAL.
AUSTRALIA.

FINAL WINNING NOTICE ON TICKET NO: 53435672222


Sir/Madam;

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Austro Lotto International Program held on the 20th of March, 2007. Your e-mail address attached to ticket No: 53435672222 with prize No 32177445/AU won the 2nd class of the draws and as such, you are to receive the sum of €750,000.00 (Seven Hundred And Fifty Thousand Euros)

Please be informed that because of mix up in cash pay-outs, we require that you to keep your winning information confidential until your funds (€750, 000.00) are remitted to you to your nominated bank account from our accredited paying-out bank. This measure must be adhered to in order to avoid the loss of your cash prizes. This is to forestall the abuse of this program by other participants.

It's important to note that this draws were conducted formally, and winners are selected through an internet ballot system from 72,000 individuals and company’s email addresses, hence, the draws are conducted around the world through our internet based ballot system. The promotion is sponsored and promoted by Austro Oil Company in Australia.

We hope you will participate in our next draws; the jackpot winning is €20million. Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 15 days of receiving this notice, after which -all unclaimed cash prize will be forfeited and included in the next sweepstake. Please, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications remember to quote your winning numbers in all correspondence. Note: Winners under the age of 17 will be disqualified.

Thank you for being part of our promotional program. For immediate release of your cash prize, kindly contact our processing Department with the following information for verification and payment through our paying Bank:

1. Your names,
2. Amount won.
3. Contact Address
4. Your winning numbers
5. Contact telephones and fax numbers
6. Sex
7. Age

Contact our Prize Processing Department for further advice and payment.

Mr. Rex Finn
Email: rexfinn_astro@yahoo.com.au

Congratulations from all members of Austro Lotto International.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Ginika Ded (Lotto Coordinator).
Austro Lotto International.










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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam