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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:

• 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:
  • "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "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.
  • +34627747095 (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.
  • prim_24@yahoo.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: onlinemillion@supersorteolott.com
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2007 10:32:19 +0000
Subject: LOTTERY AWARD WINNER




LOTERIA PRIMITIVA SWEEPSTAKES PROMOTION.
CALLE/BUSMAN EL-BUENO, 13728007 MADRID SPAIN .
FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF: LP/26510460037/02 BATCH: 24/00319/IPD

Dear Winner,

WINNING NOTIFICATION 2007.

We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer balloting La Primitiva Sweepstake held on the 5th of July, 2007. This is a millennium scientific computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users. Your email is attached to ticket number 004-05117963-198, with serial number 99375 drew the lucky numbers 06-18 -23-27-41-43,Consequently, You have been approved for the star prize of 1,500,000.00 (ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND EUROS)From total prize of (11,440,000.00) shared among the twenty nine international winners in this category.

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you. This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming.In other to claim your prize winning, you are to contact your claim agent through this contact information below for verification and collection of your winning fund.

LOTTERIA PRIMITIVA PROMOTIONS
MR DENNIS COLE
Tel: +34 627-747-095
Email to: prim_24@yahoo.es

FILE NUMBER:
2. BATCH NUMBER:
3. REFERENCE NUMBER:
4. WINNING NUMBER:
5. CATEGORY:
6. AMOUNT WON:
7a. FULL NAME:(MR/MRS)
b.TEL/FAX NUMBER(Office,Home and Mobile )
8. CITY/COUNTRY:
9. ADDRESS:(HOME AND OFFICE)
10. OCCUPATION/ORGANIZATION:
11. POSITION :
12. DATE OF BIRTH:
13. PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS:

Please you are advised to complete the information and send it immediately to your claims agent through information stated above to enable them process your claim for prompt collection of your fund..

MRS. MARIA PACO :
CALL FOR CONFIRMATION: +34-627747095
ATTN: MR DENNIS COLE
EMAIL: prim_24@yahoo.es

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam