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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:

• 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:
  • "top of the day to you" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
• 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.
  • +447005978534 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +447005961842 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • lloydsoffshoreuk@aol.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Edward Yorkshire (Claims Department)" <agent_edwardyorkshire@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:33:33 +0100 (BST)
Subject: WINNER'S CLAIM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT : CONTACT FINANCIAL FIRM.




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






Dear Trennen Baerder,

Top of the day to you.

As per your request, you are required to contact Mr. William Perkins of Lloyds TSB Offshore Bank via the Email address cited below.

Email: Lloydsoffshoreuk@aol.co.uk


Telephone: +4470 0597 8534

Fax Number: +4470 0597 8465


You are required to also furnish them with a scan copy of your Identification for documentation purpose and proper verification.

Endeavour to keep me updated with your correspondence with Mr. William Perkins so that I will be able to give you valuable advice as at when due bearing in mind that one good turn deserves another.

Hope to have informed you well.

Congratulations once again from members of staff.

Feel free to call me if you require further clarification.


Warmest regards,

Mr. Edward Yorkshire.
CLAIMS AGENT. AUGUST 20,2007.

PHONE: +4470 1113 3661
FAX: +44 70059 61842






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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam