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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:
  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.

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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")
  • "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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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!

Fraud email example:

From: Co-ordinator Frances Brown <coordinatorfb@ymail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:30:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Lucky Winner!


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: coordinatorfb@ymail.com



- Dear Lucky Winner, The Shell Foundation London England was established in the year 2000 by the Shell Multi-Million Groups and is now supported by the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)...To celebrate the 7th anniversary program, the Shell Foundation London England , in conjunction with multi national Companies is giving out a yearly donation of USD$400,000.00 (FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) to eight lucky recipients. Congratulations!!! You shall read more information about SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD by visiting this site; http://www.shell.com You were selected among the lucky recipients to receive the award sum of USD$400,000.00 (FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) as charity donations/aid from the Shell Foundation London England in accordance with the enabling act of Parliament...For further information and claim, Please contact claim agent with the below email address and forward your Full Name, Phone Numbers to the enable to enable them contact you with your winning payment information’s. Remember to quote these numbers. Winning Numbers: 1 2 26 30 40 21, Ref: 575061725, Batch: 8056490902/188 and cash credit file ref: ILP/HW 46704/08...Contact Person: Mrs. Frances Bronw (RCA)...Email: agentbarrywright@ymail.com ) Note: All winnings MUST be claimed, not later than 28 days after notification. Failure to do so will result to outright cancellation...Signed, Shell Promo Inc. Copyright 2000-2008 Shell Promo International

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam