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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • ",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)
• 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 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.
  • lotteryagent_garsonritchie04@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Philip Aruji <p.aruji5@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:10:04 +0100 (BST)
Subject: WINNING NOTICE



FROM: THE DIRECTOR
EUROPEAN PRIZE AWARD DEPAT.
REF: EL3/9318/04
BATCH: 8/163/EL.
Attn: Dear Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 24/08/2007. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 653164251591-6011 with serial number 7321410,batch number 151085135,lottery ref number 6376527711 and drew lucky numbers 4-9-17-36-44-78a which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States dollars)

CONGRATULATIONS!!
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 money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 40,000 company and 20,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every year.
This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of software producers. we hope with part of your winning,you will take part in our next year US$2 million international lottery.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE:
Simply contact your claims agent, Mr Garson Ritchie at email;(lotteryagent_garsonritchie04@yahoo.com) by filling this form below and send it to him to file for your claim .

LOTTERY WINNERS APPLICATION FORM OF PAYMENT.
FULLNAME.................................................
DATE OF BIRTH..................................
ADDRESS..................................................
SEX.........................
AGE..................................
NATIONALITY...........................................
OCCUPATION...........................................
TELEPHONE........................................
FAX...................................................
EMAIL.................................................
DATE......................................................
WINNER REF/BATCH NO...........................APPROVED
FOR PAYMENT.

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 10th of September,2007. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Yours Sincerely,
Philip Aruji
For Management

Fast and Efficient Processing
Prompt Confirmation of Entry
Winning Results Checked Automatically
Entry is 100% Confidential

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam