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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.

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:
  • "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
  • "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. )
  • "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.
  • +447031932758 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: fightingpoverty@rocketmail.com
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:04:48 +0100
Subject: U.K LOTTERY PROMOTIONS

GOVERNMENT ACCREDITED LICENSED!!!
U.K LOTTERY PROMOTIONS IS REGISTERED UNDER THE DATA PROTECTION ACT OF (Registration Z720633X).

Attention: Winner,

CONGRATULATIONS! This is to inform you that you have been cleared a winner of the U.K Promo online Sweepstakes International program. I am happy to inform you, your Original winning Certificate, your certified bank cheque (850,000.00 GBP - Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Great British pounds), A Promotion T-Shirt, A promotional cap, Processed Winning Documents has been forwarded to the courier company.

You are hereby required to contact with the delivery Agency enabling them deliver your parcel to you in your country. Find below the details of the courier company.

*************************************************************
MRW COURIER SERVICE.
DELIVERY ADMINISTRATOR: MR. MARK DONALD
EMAIL: deliverydept@mrwcourierservice.com
TELEPHONE NUMBER: +44 703 193 2758
***************************************************************

You are advised to contact with Courier Company enabling them deliver your winning items to your designated address. To ensure a safe delivery of the above listed items to your location, you are expected to send the following details below to the delivery Company with the reference number: Courier HLP Form-Order Reg. No: MRW- 456001877


Full Name:
Delivery Address:
City:
State:
Country:
Zip Code:
Direct Telephone Number:

Note: Your Delivery Order Registration. No is MRW- 456001877 and should be used as the subject matter of the email you are sending to the Shipping Company. This would enable them respond to your email in a timely manner.

Best regards

Mr. Presley Walters
Claims Agent,
U.K NATIONAL LOTTERY

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam