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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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!
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +447011150221 (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.
  • mvcard_claims08@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: mvcard_claims08@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2008 00:50:48 -0000
Subject: Attention: Esteem Winner






--
Master/visa Card® / Microsoft® International MEGA JACKPOT
BARCLAY BANK PLATINUM VISA CARD
BARCLAY PREMIERSHIP
MICROSOFT OFFICE, UNITED KINGDOM
DIRECTOR; Mr.Ashley Steve Jr.

Attention: Esteem Winner,

Your email address has won you a cash prize in the Master/visa Card
International Lottery.Your e-mail address was selected and confirmed by
our co-sponsor Microsoft International, through their latest Internet
software. You are therefore been approved by Master/visa Card
Int./Microsoft UK(under the UK national lottery) of the sum of £750,000.00
(SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS).In cash, Credited to Reg. No.
MCIMJ: 5148/4178, you are the sixth lucky winner of the total winners of
10, take note. You all won £750,000.00 Pounds each.

Be informed that your prize is ready for pay out. Contact the claims
administrator for further instructions and
claims. Here is the contact information:
Name: Barrister Mark Thomas
E-MAIL: mvcard_claims08@yahoo.com
Phone: +447011150221

You are to forward the following details to enable the management clear
your file for immediate payment:
Claims Requirements:

1. Full Name:.....................................
2. Address:.......................................
3. Nationality:...................................
4. Age:.......... Date of Birth:.................
5. Occupation:....................Nature of Work................
6. Phone:................Fax:.....................
7. State of Origin:...........Country:............
8. Sex:.............................................
9. Winning Email Address:

Congratulations!!

Mrs.Mercy Gray
Secretary
Copyright © 2008 Master/visa Card® / Microsoft®Mega Jackpot.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam