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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "high insurance policy" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • +34666354376 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "globes consult" <globesconsult@mail.vu>
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:27:45 -0700
Subject: PROCESSING OF YOUR WINNING PRIZE MONEY


Dear Winner

Congratulations from members of our staff,We acknowledge the receipt of your email with request to file for your winning prize. We write to clarify and explain our mode of service that we render to client on lottery claim related issue.

Firstly, our ultimate aim is to ensure that the Prime Winner receive his/her winning prize.You are required to print and fill the CLAIM / PROCESSING FORM in capital letters and return back to this office via Fax No +34 911 414 381 or Email attachment for verification from the Lottery Company along with your photocopy of identification.

Secondly, when you have been fully confirm as the Prime Winner after verification excersie from the Lottery Company we will start the processing of your claim.

We will obtain your Award winning certificate which present you as the prime winner of the lottery program from the the Lottery Board. Also in accordance with the Spainsh Lottery Act 2004 on payment of International Lottery Program since after March 11,2004 Madrid Bomb incident your Award winning certificate must be legalised in the Ministry of Justice here in Spain which will legally protect your funds from any terrorist funds and an Approved Legal Clearance Certificate will be obtained from the Ministry of Justice here in Spain which will enable the paying office effect swift payment of your winning prize into your nominated bank account.

The processing of your claims will be completed in three - four working days and subsequently you will receive your winning prize .You are advice to complete the forms in capital letters and return to us to enable us verify and commence processing of your winning prize.

Your winning prize is covered with HIGH INSURANCE POLICY which is in accordance with article 34b subsections 132 of the International Lottery regulations as amended in the 1996 constitution this is to protect the Prime Winner of his / her claims and to avoid misappropriation of the funds.

Be assured that in line with our principles of efficiency,transparency and customers satisfaction, we will handle all verification with the highest level of professionalism and discretion to ensure you receive your winning prize within shortest possible time.

Due to mix up of some numbers and names,we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your winning Prize have been remitted into your nominated account. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.

You are advice to call Mr.Miguel Fernando,Director of Operations on his direct telephone number +34 666 354 376 as soon as you return the Claim / Processing Form through email attachment for comfirmation.

Once again congratulations!!!

Best regards
Mrs.Catherine Lopez
Euro Millones Lottery.




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam