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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:
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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "arena complex km 18 route de rufisque" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
  • "route de rufisque" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "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)
  • "amsterdam holland" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • +447024093957 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "MS. KELLY . CYNTHIA" <euro-afroasian@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:23:43 +0100
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION:





FROM: MS. KELLY CYNTHIA.E.A.A.S Lottery Headquarters:Bespreekburo Rotterdams DagbladWestblaak 180,Ahoy’ RotterdamAhoy’-weg 10, Amsterdam,Holland. Affiliate of:Found money InternationalArena Complex Km 18 Route de Rufisque,Amsterdam Holland. WINNING NOTIFICATION: We happily announce to you the draw of the Euro-Afro Asian Sweepstake Lottery International Programs held in Holland-Amsterdam. This promotion takes place annually, sponsored by Mr. Bill Gates of Microsoft, His Royal Eminence, Sultan of Brunei and some prominient Philantropists to encourage the use of Internet and Computers worldwide. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: EAAS 007-028-019-065 that subsequently won you the Lottery in the 3rd category. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) in cheque. This is from a total cash prize of US$50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million United States Dollars), shared amongst the first Two Hundred (200) lucky winners in this category.For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential until your claims is processed and your cheque delivered to your nominated address through an approved delivery officer appointed specially for this program.Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Asian booklet as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your US$250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) cheque would be released to you by our appointed fiduciary officer. All participants were selected randomly from Worldwide Websites through computer draw system and extracted from over 150,000,000 individuals and companies.Our Fiduciary agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your winning cheque as soon as you contact him. This is part of our precautionary measures to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous individuals. Please be warned.To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary officer, REV COLLINS RICHARD. through this e-mail address:Email: AGENTCOLLINSRICHARD01@yahoo.comTel: +447024093957. To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, forwarding:- (1). Your full names, age, contact address, private telephone and your occupation. (2). Quote your Ticket number in any correspondences with our designated agent or us. Please note your verification numbers:REFERENCE NUMBER: 0000-41677-4968/PLP07 BATCH NUMBER: 07107-071/09-07. SERIAL NUMBER: 0329-09-007-007. Congratulations, once more from all members and staffsof this program. Thank you for being part of this promotional lottery program. Our special thanks and gratitude to Bill Gates of Microsoft and all his Associates. PLEASE, CONTACT YOUR FIDUCIARY OFFICER DIRECTLY THROUGH.Email: AGENTCOLLINSRICHARD01@yahoo.comTel: +447024093957.Sincerely,MS. KELLY CYNTHIA.COORDINATOR.EURO AFRO-ASIAN.AMSTERDAM-HOLLAND.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam