419 scam: copa adams <copa_lotteryclaims.winnings@yahoo.co.uk> ATTENTION:WINNER,

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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.

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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:
- "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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!

Fraud email example:

From: copa adams <copa_lotteryclaims.winnings@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 13:41:11 +0100 (BST)
Subject: ATTENTION:WINNER,

ATTENTION:WINNER,

WE RECEIVED YOUR EMAIL,BASE ON THE MAIL YOU SENT TO US I WILL LIKE TO ADVICE YOU THAT, YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE GIVEN TO YOU BY OUR PAYING BANK BECUSE WE HAVE FORWARD YOUR WINNINGS TO THAN.THAT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CLAIM YOUR WINNING PRIZE.WE HAVE ALREADY SEND YOUR WINNING PRIZE TO WOOLWICH BANK PLC FOR TRANSFER,

BEST REGARD
MR COPA ADAMS
YOUR CLAIMS AGENT,
UK NATIONAL LOTTERY.

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam