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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.

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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:
  • "vittorio foundation" (not involved with lotteries)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +2348027115533 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: FDV VITTORIO ITALIANO <fdv_vittorioitaliano@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:35:52 -0400
Subject: CONTACT ECOWAS OFFICE





















Foundazion Di Vittorio. FOUNDATION CASH NOTIFICATION.Foundation's Officer,Foundazion Di Vittorio,ITALY.http://www.fondazionedivittorio.it Dear Winner. I' Sir. Mavrotas Sconte secretary of Foundation di Vittiorio 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. The Foundazione Di Vittorio, established 1977 by the Multi-Million groups and now supported by the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European Union (EU) was conceived with the objective of human growth, educational, and community development.To celebrate the 28th anniversary program, The Vittorio Foundation in conjunction with the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European Union (EU) issued out the yearly donation prize of US$980,000.00 (Five Hundred & Eighty Thousand United States Dollars) These specific Donations/Grants was awarded to 5 Lucky Winner's in different categories for their personal business development and enhancement of their educational plans.At least 15% of the awarded funds should be used by you to develop a part of your environment. This is a yearly program, which is a measure of universal development strategy.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.Your Qualification number is (N-222-6747, E-900-56).This is to acknowledge the receipt of the requested data and the confirmation of your reliability in this universal programmed. Do note that I have forwarded the produced data, to the head office of Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Organization assigned to handle your payment in West Africa (NIGERIA).Included in this letter is your donation pin number to be used when claiming your donation. Your donation pin number is "21556770665477". This number should be kept strictly confidential by you, as you will use it in receiving your donation.You are to immediately contact the Payment officer in the ECOWAS office in Abuja Nigeria for the claims of your donations. Use the Below contact information's to contact the ECOWAS office.*Note* Please call the below office phone number immediately an email has been sent to them regarding your donations. CONTACT INFO.Mr. Gregory Williams.COUNSELOR, ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE ABUJA.PLOT 4, BLOCK 23, GARIKI, ABUJA. NIGERIA.EMAIL: office@ecowas-nig.comTEL: +23480 2711 5533Do note that on contact with Mr. Gregory Williams, you are to provide him with your full name and address. This will enable the ECOWAS office prepare a check valued US$980,000.00 and all necessary documents required to clear/cash the check in your name. Make sure you give him a call informing him that you have just sent him an email so that he could respond to you mail immediately.Signed, Sir. Mavrotas Sconte.Foundation Secretary.Foundation Di Vittorio House.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam