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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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• 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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "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!
• 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.
  • +34658109437 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • luisgarcia@consultant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Wilfred Enrique <wilfredeq@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 18:07:04 +0200
Subject: AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION



Euromilliones loteria Espanol Award 2007.Paseo De La castellana 15-89,28008 MadridBranch office Spain.Ref. No: ES/007/05/12/MAD.Batch. No: GHT/2907/333/05.
Dear Winner,
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THIS YEAR EURO MILLION LOTTERY.
We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computerballoting sweepstake held on Friday 29th June, 2007. This is a millenniumscientific computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users, therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it.
Your email address attached to ticket star number:(1/3) drew the EUROMILLION lucky numbers8-12-28-33-45 which consequently won the draw in the Second category.You have been approve for the star prize of €1,000,000:00 (One Million Euros Only).
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until youreceive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance toyou,This is a protective measure put in place to avoid people applyingfor your winnig fund,as we have had cases like this before.
To file for your claim, please contact your fiduciary agent immediately with the informations below.
NAME:LUIS GARCIA Foreign Services Manager,Payment and Release orderDepartment,CLAIMS PROCESSING LOTTERY AGENT.Tel: +34 658 109 437Fax: +34 917 615 191 Email:luisgarcia@consultant.com
All prize money must be claimed not later than 10th August,2007.After this date, this fund will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA Y HACIENDA as unclaimed fund.
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delay and complication,please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in every correspondence with your agent or us.Furthermore,should there be any change of your address,do inform your claim agent as soon as possible.Congratulation once again from all members of our staff and thank you for being part of our International promotion program.We wish you continued good fortunes.and provide us with your direct telephone and fax numbers when responding to these emai.
Best Regards,Wilfred Enrique(Online CO-Ordinator).



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam