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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "microsoft mega jackpot lottery" (no such lottery exists)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "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.
  • +447024072940 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • bumpers6@yahoo.com
  • globalxpresscourier@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: Jerry Potta <claimsjerrypotta@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 11:58:34 +0100
Subject:




WINNING ID: (bumpers6@yahoo.com)
Reg. No. Master/Visa: 5148/4178

Dear cash winner (Ami Schweitzer)



This is to inform you that your winning cheque is no longer with us. I will advise you to contact the affiliate courier company (Global express courier Ltd UK) in possession of your duly won cash prize in form of a certified cheque and a winning certificate for immediate remittance to you.MasterCard® / Microsoft® had earlier directed the paying bank to deposite the cheque with the affiliate courier company TO BE REMITTED TO YOU.

I am glad to inform you that your prize of £6,600,000.00 GBP issued is in form of a certified check. This draft has been bonded to be exact. In accordance with the gaming ordinances, a winning certificate has been endorsed by the online gaming board.

You are to inform us immediately when you get the check.Then MasterCard® / Microsoft® will direct the paying bank here in UK to make payment to your designated bank account that you will be providing us on receipt of your winning cheque.


Your draft and Winning Certificate arranged in a parcel have been handed over to..


Global Express Couriers Ltd. 78 Southbridge Road Croydon, Surrey CR0 1AE United Kingdom. Logistic Director: Mr. John Meyer
E-mail: delivery-dept@global-courierservice-uk.net
E-mail: globalxpresscourier@yahoo.co.uk Tel: +44 702 4072 940

Your draft will be delivered to your Contact Address below.


Name: Ami Schweitzer,

Address: 1842 rory lane Unit 7 Simi Valley, Ca. 93063 U.S.A

(PLEASE YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE COURIER COMPANY WITH YOUR FULL NAME AND A COMPLETE VALID CONTACT ADDRESS)


Find below a sample letter you are to send to the Logistics Director ........................................................................................................................................


Dear Mr John Meyer,

My name is .............., an ............... citizen. I have a matter on which I need your assistance.I was told to contact you by my claims officer Mr .......... I am one of the lucky winners of the just concluded MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT LOTTERY. I will be glad if you can inform me of the following.

1. If your firm is in possesion of my winning check and certificate 2. Details of the required cost of delivery
3. What is the time duration that it will take to get my winnings?

I hope that I shall receive a speedy response to my enquiry as soon as possible.
NOTE: Send your contact address where your parcel will be delivered along while contacting the courier firm.


Yours Faithfully. ................................................................................................................................................................................................... Please be informed that you will be responsible for the cost of delivery. First, as you were earlier aware in your winning notification you are only responsible for the delivery or transfer charges of your winning prize as it was not originally agreed between the British Gaming Board and the sponsors of this promo before the lottery license was issued.You will only help us by fulfilling all requirements as directed above and accordingly, as all procedures are meant to protect Winners and to avoid cases of misappropriation and mishandling of prizes. You are required to respond and act promptly to all instructions provided.


PLEASE NOTE:

As your assigned principal claims processor, I am by duty to assist, guide and monitor your winnings processing in order to facilitate the process due to time factor. So feel free to let me know on any eventuality with the courier company as your claims begins.


Once again we say congratulations to you and hope to hear from you soonest!


Yours sincerely,


Mr.Jerry Potta
(Principal Claims Officer)

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam