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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  • +34600374412 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: gomez antonio <gomezantonio28000@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <gomezantonio2010@yahoo.es>
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:33:32 +0200
Subject: READ YOU HAVE WIN ESPANA LOTTERY CLAIM IT NOW!!



ESPANA EIRO MILLINES LOTTERY BOARD

Avda. Juan Real 25
C. P 28002 Madrid, Spain.
TEL/FAX: 34 911 311 707.
FROM THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRICE AWARD DEPT.

ATTN: REF NO: AXA/777/555/12426/72

RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION/FINAL NOTICE
We are pleased to inform you today the 23rd OF JULY, 2007 of the results of THE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY BOARD; INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS held on 23ND OF MAY, 2007 as part of the year bonanza. Your name attached to Ticket no: 357-01467446-224, Batch no: EU 02-3773, Ref no: AXA/777/555/12426/72, Winning no: 02-07-14-25-44+02-04, PRIZE CLAIM TRACK No: X-8007891324-Z which consequently won the lottery on the 3rd category. CONGRATULATION!!!You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of €615, 810.00 (SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED AND TEN EUROS) in cash, to be paid through one of the following payment options






(A) CERTIFIED BANK CHEQUE (B) BANK TRANSFERS (C) PICK-UP (CASH PAYMENT)

Your winning amount is insured in your name for security reasons and will be released for payment by THE LOTTERY BOARD after data’s clarification and verification.
YOUR AGENT BOUGHT TICKET IN YOUR NAME FOR THIS YEAR PROGRAMME. TOTAL OF 56940 TICKETS WERE BOUGHT BY YOUR AGENT FOR CITIZENS OF EUROPE, USA AND ASIA.Due to mixed up of names, we urge you to keep this award CONFIDENTIAL until your claim has been processed and your cash remitted to your desired OPTION OF PAYMENT as this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by non participants taking advantage of this program. For processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice, kindly contact you’re AGENT INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION DR. ANTONIO GOMEZ, THE FOREIGN OPERATION DEPARTMENT MANAGER OF SANTA LUCIA SEGUROS S.A. On TEL: 011 34 600 374 412 OR +34 600 374 412. Remember that all prize money must be claimed not later than 10TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2007. After this date all unclaimed winning amount will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE HACIENDA as unclaimed.

NOTE: In other to avoid an unnecessary delay and complications, should there be any change of your name or address do inform your Agent as soon as possible, please remember to quote your Reference number, Track and Batch numbers in every correspondence with us, or your Agent. Furthermore remember that your Agent will be paid 10% of the Award Prize as their commissions after you have received your winning money into your nominated Account chosen by you.Congratulations once again from all members of our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.
PRIZE CLAIM TRACK
No: X-8007891324-Z

CALOS ALBERTO. MANAGING DIRECTOR.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam