419 scam: ECOWAS DONATIONS 2007 <ecowasdeliveryoffice2@yahoo.co.uk> ATTN:WINNER, CLAIMS RELEASE/VERIFICATION FORM

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- +2348050481732 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: ECOWAS DONATIONS 2007 <ecowasdeliveryoffice2@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:38:44 +0100 (BST)
Subject: ATTN:WINNER, CLAIMS RELEASE/VERIFICATION FORM

ECONOMIC COMMUNITY FOR WEST AFRICAN STATES
Official Head Quaters,
101, Yakubu Gowon Crescent,
Asokoro District P.M.B. 401 Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: +2348050481732
+2347035399138

ATTN

Thank you for contacting us. You actually won a consolation prize of US$1,000,000.00 (One Million United states Dollars
and we have been assigned to assist you in claiming your winnings as soon as possible.
You are to fill in this form for record purpose so that you can claim your winnings.

This correspondence officially confirms that we are in receipt of instructions relating to the payment of your lottery
winnings. Provided in attachment is a Claims Release/ Verification Form BHG, you are required to completely fill the
claims form with your correct information and submit back to this office immediately.
We look forward to receive receipt of your information.

Congratulations once again on your winning.

======================================
CLAIMS VERIFICATION FORM BHG
======================================

FULL NAMES:------------------------------
FORWARDING ADDRESSES:-----------
CITY/STATE:--------------
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:--------------
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE:---------
MARITAL STATUS:--------
NATIONALITY:---------
SEX:------------------------
DATE OF BIRTH:--------
EMAIL:---------------
OCCUPATION:-------
TEL/FAX:--------------

===========================
WINNING INFORMATION
===========================

BATCH NR:---------
LOTTERY REF NR:--------
LOTTERY DATE:-----

Yours Sincerely,

Dr.Newton Udeh
Tel: +2348050481732

+2347035399138

---------------------------------
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Yahoo! Answers - Get better answers from someone who knows. Tryit now.

Anti-fraud resources:

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