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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
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• 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "euromillion loteria" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claims 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!

Fraud email example:

From: <infoprogcord@aim.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:52:50 -0800
Subject: A LUCKY DAY/WINNER

Computer Ballot Sweeptakes Email Award 2008.
(Euromillion loteria Espanol Award 2008).
www.loteria.com
Paseo De La castellana
15-89,28008 Madrid.
Spain ,Branch.


Ref No.ES/037/11/06/MD
Batch No: WNTO/7416/VA/ES
Lucky No: 10-12-24-25-41
Serial No: MUOTI/82536


YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THIS YEAR EURO MILLION LOTTERY.

Sir/Madam,


We wish to congratulate you of the release of the result of the Euromillion
loteria Espanol Award 2008 held on 5Th April 2008 in Spain. Your name
attached to the Batch No: WNTO/7416/VA/ES with serial number MUOTI/82536
drew the lucky number 10-12-24-25-41 which consequently won the lottery in
the category A.

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. You have been
approve for the star prize of €960,000:00 (Nine Hundred And Sixty Thousand
Euros Only).which was Awarded to your Email Address when rolled in an Email
Sweepstakes program held by the Euromillion loteria Espanol Award 2008 Email
Promotion.

To claim your winning prize you are to contact the appointed agent as soon
as possible for the immediate release of your winnings,You must contact the
PAYING AGENT with the following information's below:

Name:.............................
Age:..............................
Sex:..............................
Address:..........................
Email:............................
Phone:............................
Occupation:.......................
Company:..........................
Country:..........................

Appointed Paying Agent Contact is as below:

FIRM NAME:CONO SUR & CIA.,ESPAÑA
EMAIL:info.conosurcia@aol.es
CONTACT PERSON:Anderson Newton


The Validity period of the winnings is for 20 working days hence you are
expected to make your claims immediately,any claim not made before this
date will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE E CONOMIA Y HACIENDA .

Note: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 put in place to avoid people applying for
your winnig fund,as we have had cases like this before. And in order to
avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your
reference and batch numbers in every of your correspondence with our Claim
agent Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform
your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations again from all
members of our staff and thank you for being a part of our promotion
program.

Best Regards,
Mrs.Cluadia Pablo.
Program Cordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam