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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "million pounds" (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)
• 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.
  • +447045711138 (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.
  • oxfamukagent@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "OXFAM LOTTERY UK" <winners@oxfam.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:18:29 -1200
Subject: A SURPRISE

OXFAM GB - UK
274, Banbury Road,
Oxford
OX2 7DZ

Dear sir/madam

This is to notify you that you have been officially chosen
by the Board of Trustees of the Oxfam GB (NGO UK) as one of
the final Recipients of a Cash Grant/Donation for Economic
Growth and a Poverty Alleviation Scheme Through your email.
Oxfam GB(U.K.) a Multi-Million Pounds NGO group was
established with the Objective Of Human Growth, Educational
and Community
Development. In line with the 61st anniversary program,
Oxfam GB (U.K.) in conjunction with the European Council is
giving out Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Great Britain
Pounds Sterling as specific Donations/Grants to 10 lucky
International recipients worldwide in different Categories
for Business and Social Development. These funds are freely
given to you for your Business, Economic And Educational
Development, as well as the enhancement of the overall
standard of living in your region.Your Email was selected
based on an internet random
Selection Exercise, you are therefore confirmed as one of
The lucky recipients and you are entitled to FIVE HUNDRED
AND FIFTY THOUSAND GREAT BRITAIN POUNDS STERLING, as charity
donations/aid from the Oxfam GB (UK).

To facilitate the disbursement of this noble donation to
you, Kindly fill the claims requirement form attached to
this e-mail .

VERIFICATION / FUNDS RELEASE FORM
1.Name in full-------------------------------------------
2.Address----------------------------------------------
3.Nationality--------------------------------------------
4.Age--------------------------------------------------
5.Sex--------------------------------------------------
6.Occupation---------------------------------------------
7.Phone/Fax---------------------------------------------
8.Present Country-----------------------------------------
9.Alternate Email Address----------------------------------
10.Your Qualification Number-------------------------------

Endeavor to quote your Qualification
Number(OG/N231/E101/BDB) as the subject of your
correspondence with the National Secretary Oxfam GB (UK),

Mr. C. Victor to facilitate your Grant disbursement process.

Mr. C. Victor
Oxfam GB (UK)
TEL: +447045711138
Email: oxfamukagent@yahoo.com

Please note that these Donations/Grants are administered by
a United Kingdom Bank and therefore subject to United
Kingdom Banking Laws. You are by all means advised, To keep
this information confidential until you have collected your
grant. This is a security measure to avoid unwarranted
attention from the International press, double or
unqualified claim.
On behalf of the Board, kindly accept our warmest
Congratulations!

Yours faithfully,
Dr (Mrs.) Christabel Darwin
Programme Manager.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam