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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "transfer of your funds" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "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 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. )
• 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.
  • +447011150676 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +448709744065 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +447031981888 (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.
  • helpservice@strompost.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Zurich Lotterien <zurichboard@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:55:04 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Information



ZL/08/4008
Dear Winner,
 
We are in receipt of your email.
 
This program is organized by the international lotto and games subcommittee, endorsed by the European lottery guild in conjunction with NGO organizations in Switzerland. 
 
Zürich Lotterien draws was conducted from an exclusive list of e-mail addresses of individual and corporate bodies picked by an advanced automated random computer ballot search from the internet as part of our international promotions program which we conduct every year. No tickets were sold.
 
After this automated computer ballot, your e-mail address attached to serial number 02-87-87 drew the lucky numbers 4-11-41-26-02-62, which consequently emerged you as one of first ten (10) lucky winners in the United Kingdom category.
 
You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay off of €1,000,000.00 (One Million EURO) in cash credited to file ZL/08/4008.  This is from a total cash prize of €50 Million Euro shared amongst the first fifty (50) lucky winners in this category.
 
Be informed that your funds are currently deposited in an offshore bank with a hardcover insurance.
 
To claim your prize funds, you are required to select from our alternative remittance scheme below:
 
1. You will require coming directly to our office for a direct claim. In this alternative, you will be required to procure an International Financial Guarantee to be eligible to handle such funds in the UK jurisdiction.
 
2. To make a telegraphic (Bank) transfer of your funds to your private bank account, you are required to send your name and address in full, phone number, bank name, bank address, account number, Swift/Routing/Sort Code, so as to facilitate the release of your funds to your stated bank account.
 
The above information will be forwarded to our issuing bank and your winnings will be transferred to your private account.
 
3. If you choose to employ a courier service for the delivery of your winnings, you are required to send your name, phone number, delivery address (home or office address), our affiliate Courier/Diplomatic Service Company with the information below:
 
Strompost Diplomatic Security
And Couriers BV.
65 Petty Palms London
SW1H 9EU
Tel:+ 44-703-198-1888
        + 44-703-198-1890
 
Email:solargemoore@live.com
           :helpservice@strompost.com
 
The courier company will assist you in delivery of your funds and all required documents to your door step.
 
If your chose option one (1) (Direct claim), kindly send us a return email so we can supply you with the necessary information and date for direct remittance of your funds. If you choose option two (2) (Bank Transfer), you will be required to send us your banking information for onward transfer of your funds to your nominated account. If you choose option (3) (Courier Delivery), you will be required to contact the Strompost couriers for the delivery of your winnings to your home or office address.
 
Following the stringent policies laid down by the International Gaming Board regulations and the Games and lotto Payout Subcommittee, all winnings must be claimed by the claims beneficiary. In no condition will your winnings be released to a proxy.
 
Congratulations once again from all members and staff of this board and thanks for being part of our promotions program.
 
Yours faithfully,
Zürich Lotterien
Information and Payment Bureau:
London Representative Office
Help Service Contact
Tel: +44 701-115-0676
Fax: +44-870-974-4065
 
CC
 
Mrs. Kirt Loberg.
Promotions Manager.
Zürich Lotterien
Management and Central Services:
Weg 205 B - 02241, zum Erfolgreichen,
Switzerland.



__________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam