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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  • +447031946105 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Teddy Brook <claimsdept_teddybrookuk1@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:23:29 +0100 (BST)
Subject: E- Lottery Winner Verification/Fund Release Form




THE E-LOTTERY COMPANY
UK OFFICE
7, West End Avenue.
Cheshire, U.K

ATTN: Winner,

I am Mr. TEDDY BROOK your claims officer and i am in receipt of your recent email regarding the claim of the just concluded E-Lottery Email Online Promotion.Your application for claim of lottery winning prize is under process and full settlement will be made upon certification of your details.

This is a promotional draw which officially launches the new system. With funds accrued exclusively from previous draws,payouts to all winners are guaranteed and will be transferred in record time.

This correspondence officially confirms that we are in receipt of instructions relating to the payment of your lottery winnings. Please complete the form below with correct information and email back to us with a return email or via the fax number below. Looking forward to your swift response.

Yours Faithfully,
TEDDY BROOK
Phone Number:
+447031946105
+447031946962

(8am-6pmGMT Mon-Fri)


THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE SUPPLIED COMPREHENSIVELY BY THE BENEFICIARY OF THE STATED FUND,FOR VERIFICATION BEFORE TRANSFER.


1.FULL NAMES OF BENEFICIARY: 2.RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: 3.DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: 4.PHONE/FAX NUMBERS: 5.NAME AND ADDRESS OF NEXT OF KIN: 6.SEX: 7.OCCUPATION: 8.MARITAL STATUS: 9.NATIONALITY:

10.TICKET NUMBER AND REF NUMBER: 11. AMOUNT WON:


The options to receive your winnings are:

1. You can come down in person to collect your funds here in the UK (CASH). You will be required to present a valid International Passport as proof of Identification amongst other documentation which will be required if you choose this option.

2. Have our affiliate courier company send the cheque to you, This is In consonance with our policy in this regard, be advised that if you opt for the cheque to be couriered, we however exempts ourself from all liability related to this service. The cost of this service would be borne by you, this is a prerequisite for this option.

You will be referred to our affiliate courier company so that you can make enquiries concerning modalities, and charges. The reason for the courier option is based on the fact of double taxation, that is if you are to come over to sign for the release of your winnings personally, and wire transfer to you back,you would have to pay taxes on the winnings in our payment centers and then go and pay taxes on the same winnings in your country once the funds get there. In the light of the above you are adviced to choose from the options given to you. That is to say if you opton for courier service you are to notify this office that we may forward your cheque per your request to courier to the issueing bank.

OPTION ONE(1): OPTION ONE(2):



DECLARATION:
I...............HEREBY DECLARE THAT THE ABOVE DATA ARE TRUE. IN CASE OF ANY UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCE,MY NEXT OF KIN HAS THE RIGHT TO CLAIM MY TOTAL WINNINGS.(SUPER STANDARD AGENT) SHALL ACT AS MY AGENT IN FACILITATING THE TRANSFER OF THE TOTAL FUND TO ME.
DATE--------
========================================================
This email and its attachments are confidential and intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s).This email and its attachments may also be privileged or protected by legal rules. If you have received this by mistake please let us know by reply immediately and/or destroy the email and its attachments without reading, copying or forwarding the contents.




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam