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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")
  • "greater london" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million dollars" (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!

Fraud email example:

From: cm s <cm_s72@msn.com>
Reply-To: <ikem.okon1958@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 08:55:25 +0000
Subject: YAHOO LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION:



THE YAHOO LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL. INCYAHOO LOTTERY INTL INCBarley House Harold RoadSutton, Greater London Sm1 4teUnited Kingdom.Ref: KPC/9080118308/02Batch: 12/25/DC34

Dear Lucky Winner.

YAHOO LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION:

We happily announce to you the draw of the Yahoo Lottery International programme held on the 21st of June 2007 in London.Your e-mail addressattached to Ticket number: 564 75600545 188 with Serial number 5388/02 drew the Lucky numbers: 31-6-26-13-35-7,which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category. You are therefore,been approved to claim a total sum of $2, 500,000.00 usd( Two Milion Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) in cash credited to file KPC/9080118308/02.

This is from a total cash prize of 18 Million Dollars, sharedamongst the first TEN (10) lucky winners in this category. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our African booklet representative office in Africa as indicated in our play coupon. In view of this, your $2, 500,000.00 usd (Two Milion Five Hundred Thousand Dollars). Our agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds to you as soon as you make contact with him.

All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Website through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies. This promotion takes place annually. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.

This is a part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this programme by some unscrupulous elements. Please be warned . To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent with the below details for processing of your claims.

AGENT: Mr. Victor Carter.Email: claimsagent.carter@yahoo.frTELL: +234-7034529904

FULL NAMES.............................*NATIONALITY.....................*AGE..........*DATE OF BIRTH.........................*SEX.........*MARITAL STATUS..................................*CONTACT ADDRESS......................*TELEPHONE NUMBER..............................*OCCUPATION........................*WINNING E-MAIL ADDRESS......................*REF/ BATCH NUMBERS.................*TOTAL AMOUNT WON....................................

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with us or our designated agent.Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this programme.Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery programme.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Janet Dino.Yahoo zonal coordinator .The Yahoo.com staffYahoo.com Yahoo!

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam