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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:
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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:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "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.
  • +34634186328 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • infobancatrust@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: jack paul <infodesk21@web.de>
Date: Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:34:46 +0100
Subject: Euro Million lottrey award 2008.







Euro Million lottrey award 2008.
Pol.Lasao, Area Anardi
155, 28090 Madrid.
Spain Branch.


Ref. Nº: ESM/WIN/008/05/10/MA
Batch. Nº: EULO/2907/444/908/08.


YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE LOTTERY AWARD 2008

We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer
balloting sweepstake held on 25th January, 2008. This is a millennium
scientific computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a
promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you
do not need to buy ticket to enter for it.Your email address attached to
ticket star number (45407) with serial number 51622 drew the
EUROMILLION lucky numbers 3-18-40-40-76 which consequently won the
draw in the Second category. You have been approve for the star prizeof
$950,000.00(Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand dollars. Only)


CONGRATULATIONS !!!

You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you
receive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to
you. This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people
you may tell as we have had cases like this before, please send your Full
Name,Home and Office Tel & Fax Number, Mobile Tel Number and your
winning ticket number, reference numbers and amount won information for
processing of your winning fund to our registered claim agent in
address below:


Dr. Phillip Weeks
Banca Trust Agency Espana
Avda .Del Petroleo 222 Polig
Mad rid Spain.
E-mail: infobancatrust@yahoo.com.hk [mailto:infobancatrust@yahoo.com.hk]
Tel:+34 634-186-328

Be informed that the appointed agent will be required to swear
affidavits of lotto claim also remember, all winning must be claimed
not later than 20th Febuary, 2008. Please note, in order to avoid
unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference
number and batch number in all correspondence. Furthermore, should
there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.

Once again congratulations.
Your email adress has brougt to you this unexpected luck.

CONGRATULATIONS, O NCE MORE FROM THE ENTIRE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF
MICROSOFT COOPERATION TO ALL OUR LUCKY WINNERS THIS YEAR. THANK YOU FOR
BEING PART OF THIS PROMOTIONAL LOTTERY PROGRAM. OUR SPECIAL THANKS
AND GRATITUDE TO BILL GATE OF MICROSOFT AND ALL HIS ASSOCIATES FOR
ALLEVIATING POVERTY ROUND THE WORLD.

SINCERELY,

Mrs. Blanca Fernandez
(Lottery coordinator




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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam