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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "vittorio fondazione" (not involved with lotteries)
  • "vittorio foundation" (not involved with lotteries)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • vittorio_consult@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: vitf6@comcast.net
Date: Fri, 07 Sep 2007 03:37:42 +0000
Subject: Message from the president


Foundation's Officer,
Fondazion Di Vittorio, Italy
Http://www.fondazionedivittorio.it

Concern.

The Foundazion Di Vittorio, Would Like To Notify You That You Have Been Chosen By The Board Of Trustees As One Of The Final Recipients Of A Cash Grant/donation For Your Own Personal, Educational, And Business Development.

To Celebrate The 30th Anniversary Program, The Vittorio Foundation In Conjunction With The Economic Community For West African States, United Nations Organization And The European Union Is Giving Out A Yearly Donation Of (One Million United States Dollars) To 100 Lucky Recipients.

The Objective Is To Make A Notable Change In The Standard Of Living Of People All Around The Universe (From America To Europe, Asia To Africa And All Around). The Vittorio Foundation Has Been Assured Of Highest Organization Standard Courtesy Of The United Nations. It Is Our Belief That We Can Achieve A Great Positive Change In The General Welfare Of The Universe Through This Program. That Is Why The Foundation Is Doing Everything Possible To Get All Recipients Notified Of Their Donation.

Based On The Random Selection Exercise Of Internet Websites And Millions Of Supermarket Cash Invoices Worldwide, You Were Selected Among The Lucky Recipients To Receive The Award Sum Of s$1,000,000.00 (One Million Thousand United States Dollars) As Charity Donations/aid From The Vittorio Foundation, ECOWAS, EU And The UN In Accordance With The Enabling Act Of Parliament. (Note That All Beneficiaries Email Addresses Were Selected Randomly From Over 100,000 Internet Websites Or A Shop's Cash Invoice Around Your Area In Which You Might Have Purchased Something From).

You Are Required To Fill The Form Below And Email It To Our Executive Secretary Below. Please Endeavor To Quote Your Qualification Numbers (N-222-6747, E-900-56) In All Discussions.

FULL NAMES:
ADDRESS:
STATE:
ZIP:
COUNTRY:
SEX:
AGE:
OCCUPATION:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:

Name:Mr.Roberto Fabrizio
Email: vittorio_consult@yahoo.it

Regards,
Mr. Carlo Ghezzi (Il Presidente)
VITTORIO FONDAZIONE.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam