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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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)
  • "uk national lottery inc." (no such lottery exists)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  • +447011151178 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Sharon Cole <notificationdept2@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2007 16:52:40 +0100 (BST)
Subject: PAYMENT PROCEEDINGS..UK LOTTERY..






On behalf of the entire staff of the SWEEPSTAKES DRAWS WINNINGS (Online sweepstake lottery/award promotion). Congratulate you for being one of the lucky winners in this year lottery promotion stake.
Thanks for your immediate response and information's concerning your winning ,All legal documents to aid the safe delivery of your prize has been obtained and forwarded to the Packaging Dept.
After all verifications you have been confirmed for payment , Do get in contact with the delivery Department ,They are in charge of the dispatch of your winnings to you.find below their contact details .

Mr. Mark Peterson.
Name: ACX Express
Address:UNIT 63,EVENS BUSINESS CENTER,BELGRAVE
STREET,BELLSHILL
IND EST BELLSHILL,ML4 3NP
Email:info@acxexpresscourier.com
Website:www.acxexpresscourier.com/home
Tel:+44 70111 51178

You are required to make immediate contact with all details received on your notification letter,
Required details,
Name,
Resident Address.
Ref #.
Telephone
Email.

Payment Option: A, Cheque/Bank Draft .B, Swift Bank Transfer
The packaging department is required to carry the final procedure of your Prize claim by delivering your winning cheque to you.Remember to keep winning details personal, to assist the lottery Organisation eradicate Double claims and loss of winnings.
Remember to keep me updated with proceedings with the courier company .
Once again, congratulations from the entire staff of this organisation.
Best Regards,

Mrs Sharon Cole.
Fiduciary/Claims Agent,
Claims/Verification Department.


Copyright © 1994-2007 The UK National Lottery Inc.
All rights reserved. Terms of Service - Guideline




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam