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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:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "vat (5%)" (VAT is 17.5% in the UK but 5% in Nigeria)
  • "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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. )
• 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.
  • +447045726338 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Jamie Witt <safe_visualdispatchdelivery@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 21:12:36 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Leonore Traugen[Tel: +44 704 5726338]






VISUAL DISPATCH DELIVERIES
Victoria House 144-146 Beddington Lane
Croydon CR0 4TD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 704 5726338

Ms Leonore Traugen,

How are you doing today?
I am in receipt of your mail and from your complaint Ms Leonore Traugen, I understand that there are so many illegal dealings out there and we are also doing our best so as to get these frauds into police custody.
I must also let you know that this is very legal as it has been authorised by the British Authorities and the British Court of Law, this has given us the sole right to carry out this Yearly Promo.
Concerning how you were picked, 60% sales from our company, comes through the internet as we've had more valued customers through the internet worldwide. This is one of the reasons why we are carrying out this promo.

Also, we understand that it is uneasy for you to consider your self a winner but happen to be in a very small world and also BMW Company is a Multinational company that is very reliable, customer serving and satisfying, so you are not to be scared of nothing as you're one of the responsible winner of the 2007 BMW PROMO.


Regarding the last mail, It is required of you to choose from three courier companies you wish your winnings be delivered to you.

You are required to select the most convenient of the Three. The options, together with their associated conditions are presented below: You are be required to pay the necessary courier charges to enable us send you your car, cheque and other claim documents.

We are shipping your winning cross cheque and car to you via any of this channel listed below:

DHL



Mailing £168.00
Insurance £160.00
Vat (5%) £40.00
TOTAL £365.00
($662.40)



UPS
Mailing £160.00
Insurance £166.00
Vat (5%) £40.00
TOTAL £366.00
($658.80)



FEDEX

Mailing £162.00
Insurance £166.00
Vat (5%) £40.00
TOTAL £368.00
($662.40)







Send your response to indicate your option within the next 24hrs, because you only have 6 days to claim this cheque and after this period, your cash prize will be deemed to have been forfeited by you and will be reused in the drawings of the next edition of the promo.

Once again,congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


YOURS SINCERELY,
Sarah Dunace Wentworth
(FIDUCIARY AGENT)










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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam