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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "top of the day to you" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• 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.
  • +447011133661 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Edward Yorkshire (Claims Department)" <agent_edwardyorkshire@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 08:06:55 +0100 (BST)
Subject: WINNER'S CLAIM VERIFICATION.




BRITISH NATIONAL LOTTERY,
406 BURY NEW ROAD
WHITEFIELD,
MANCHESTER M45 7SX
UNITED KINGDOM.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF NO: BTL/4910X1/07





Dear Winner,

Top of the day to you.


This is to formally congratulate you on being a Winner of our Lottery promotion.

At the moment, your Winning Claim is being verified .

You are required to select an Option most suitable for you to claim your Win from the List below:

1. Via a Courier Company

2. Via Swift Wire Transfer (Bank to Bank Transfer)

You are also to furnish us with the information requested below in your reply correspondence for
verification.

1.Full Names:
2.Address:
3.Age:
4.Sex:
5.Marital Status:
6.Occupation:
7.Phone:
8.Fax number:
9.Country of Residence:

Failure to comply with the Official Rules will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate Winner and you will not be required to pay any FEES .


Feel free to call me if you require further clarification.

Thank you for your time.


Warmest regards,

Edward Yorkshire.
CLAIMS AGENT. AUGUST 19, 2007.

PHONE: +4470 1113 3661
FAX: +4470 0596 1842





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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam