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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "vat (5%)" (VAT rate in the UK is 17.5%, check the math)
  • "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. 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. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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!

Fraud email example:

From: UK NATIONAL LOTTERY <uklottery2007@uknlcp.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 07:32:32 +0000
Subject:




ATTN: Joseph,

This is to confirm that you have been officially cleared for payment by the Verifications Dept. at the headquarters of the UK National Lottery.

Your Winning Certificate will be sent to you along side with other vital documents. Which includes your certificate and a covering document (Money Laundering protection and Letter of Affidavit for Claims) from the British government,stating that the money was obtained legally through the UK Lottery will be sent to you as soon as you meet with any of this option selected. You can now begin the final step of the claims process, which is the transferring of your cash prize to you. With regards to this. The options, together with their associated conditions are presented below:

Option 1:
Courier your winner cheque to you via any of this channels listed below:



Mailing......................................£200.00
Insurance....................................£150.00
Vat (5%).....................................£100.00
Total........................................£450.00

Mailing......................................£200.00 Insurance....................................£300.00Vat (5%).....................................£200.00TOTAL........................................£700.00


Mailing......................................£200.00 Insurance....................................£200.00Vat (5%).....................................£100.00
TOTAL........................................£500.00



Post office mail
Mailing......................................£200.00 Insurance....................................£200.00Vat (5%).....................................£100.00AL...........................................£500.00

OPTION 2
Your winnings would be wired into your account via Bank to Bank transfer. Condition: You would be required to settle the transfer fees(1,500.00)paunds.

We await your response,so we may give you instructions on how to make payment for the delivery/transfer option you have chosen, we are so sorry for the late responds.


Best Regards,
CLAIMS AGENTMR Raymond Smith.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam