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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:

• 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:
  • "microsoft corporation word lottery" (no such lottery exists)
  • "ms-word lotto" (no such lottery exists)
  • "arena complex km 18 route de rufisque" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
  • "route de rufisque" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
  • "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "amsterdam holland" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  • +2348064883138 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
  • +2347082694246
• 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.
  • austine_owen4advice@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • unitedbank_of_africanplc3@yahoo.com
  • mahyar71@yahoo.co.id (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mahyar St <mahyar71@yahoo.co.id>
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:25:45 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Re: Minta Saran & Masukan


Dear all,
Dengan Hormat,
Sebelumnya saya minta maaf untuk rekan-rekan semua, saya mau minta tolong untuk memberikan saran dan masukannya atas email yang saya terima seperti dibawah ini
 
 
wassalam
M a h y a r
 
 
 
From:
"MICROSOFT CORPORATION WORD LOTTERY Inc." aus_lotery08@alestra.net.mx
Add sender to Contacts
To:
undisclosed-recipients
One of the logos of Microsoft Windows, the Company's best-known  product.

FROM: THE DESK OF THE E-MAIL PROMOTIONS MANAGER INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT, MICROSOFT CORPORATION WORD LOTTERY  Inc.

INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT AUSTRALIA . WC1B 4AR .
REFERENCE NO: 475061725
BATCH NO: 7056490902/188
WINNING NO: GB8701/LPRC
WINNER NO: 5
ELECTRONIC MAIL AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION
AWARD PRESENTATION CENTER: AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA .
WINNING NOTIFICATION !

Dear Sir/ Madam,

We the MICROSOFT COOPERATION MANAGEMENT WORLDWIDE are pleased to inform you of our annual MS-WORD LOTTO LOTTERY conducted in AMSTERDAM HOLLAND BEING THE HOST OF THE EVENT FOR THIS YEAR MEGA JACKPOT LOTTO PROGRAMS HELD ON THE 2ND of APRIL 2009 Your Personal E-mail address attached to WINNER NO:7 SPET 2006 29-MSW,with serial number 7741137002 draw the lucky numbers 5-13-33-37-42,bonus no 17 which consequently won in the 2nd category.

You have therefore been approved for lump sums pay of  $ 800,000USD. {EIGHT HUNDRED  THOUSAND,USD DOLLARS.} in cash Credited to file REF NO: ILP/HW 47509/02 .

All participants were selected from Worldwide Websites through our Microsof computer ballot system drawn from 15,000 Names, 3,000 names from each continent(Canada, Asia,Australia, United state, Europe , Middle East,Africa and Oceania,as part of International "E-MAIL"Promotions Program, Which conducted annually for our promotion MS -WORD users all over=2
0the world, and to encourage the use of Internet and Computers worldwide.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Asian representative's booklet in JAKARTA INDONESIA as indicated in your file number,in view of this,your US$800,000,00 Cheque would be released to you by Our Asian Fiduciary Agent,Our Fiduciary Agent
will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your winning Cheque as soon as you contact him.

Kindly keep your ref. number and batch number from the public, until you woned cheque have been processed and your prize delivered or transfer to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and the act of scamming people of their ref number and
prizes. We hope with the part of your prize, you will participate in our next High stakes of
US$1.3billion International Lottery. To claim your winning prize,contact our Asian claims department by email or phone for Processing and remittance of your
prize to you.

FOR YOUR CLAIM CONTACT
MR AUSTINE OWEN}.
(E-MAIL : (austine_owen4advice@yahoo.com)
Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 3 weeks. all funds not Claimed on or before the fixed date will be returned as Unclaimed and donated to charity organizations in ASIA and AFRICA .

LOTTERY WINNERS APPLICATION FORM OF PAYMENT.
FULLNAME.................................................
DATE OF BIRTH..................................
ADDRESS..........................................
..........
SEX.........................
AGE..................................
NATIONALITY...........................................
OCCUPATION...........................................
TELEPHONE..........................................
EMAIL.................................................
DATE......................................................
WINNER REF/BATCH NO...........................APPROVED

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in all correspondences.Do contact your claims officer MR
AUSTINE OWEN.

Congratulations, once again from the entire Management and Staffs of Microsoft Cooperate Word. Thanks for being part of this promotional lottery program.Our special thanks and
gratitude to Bill Gate of Microsoft and all his Associates for alliviating poverty round the World.

(DR. PHIL.  ZIGLAR .LEGAL ADVICER)
(MEMBERS)
Mrs. Helen Hunter.  Mrs. Caro Sweet
(Co-ordinator). ( Secretary )
Lottery Coordinator Customer Service, 580 N.Tenth
Street ,
Sacramento , CA 85914 ,
An Affiliate of Charity International.
Arena Complex Km 18 Route de Rufisque, Australia .
We have millions of pounds in unclaimed prizes.

________________________________________________________________________
Visita alestra.aol.com.mx: E-mail, AIM, noticias, deportes, entretenimiento y mucho más.
 
 
 
 
From:
This sender is DomainKeys verified
"UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA" unitedbank_of_africanplc3@yahoo.com
View contact details
To: mahyar71@yahoo.co.id

                                            TO
  UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA  
 

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR CLAIMS/VERIFICATION
AND INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE UNITED BANK PLAZA
 #57 MARINA ROAD LAGOS .
TEL:+234-8064883138
TEL:+234-7082694246
FAX:+234-8028374578
 

SUBJECT: PAYMENT APPROVAL

EMAIL CONFIRMATION:  mahyar71@yahoo.co.id
 
ATTN: MAHYAR,
 
THE UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA   HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECIPIANT  OF  YOUR WINNING E-MAIL REGARDING THE PRIZE SUM OF EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS,WON AND DEPOSITED BY THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL  LOTTERY PROGRAMES.
 
WE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR APPLICATION FORM THIS MORNING FROM THE AUSTRANLIAN  LOTTERY FIDUCIAL AGENT  TO EFFECT YOUR TRANSFER OF YOUR MONEY.
 
(1) INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER: (I.T.T) YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE TO US YOUR BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION WHERE YOU WANT US TO DEPOSIT YOUR  CASH PRIZE TO YOU, IF YOU HAVE ANY,  THIS WILL COST YOU THE TOTAL SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED  DOLLARS ( $500 )  THE AMOUNT WILL BE USED TO SWORN AN AFFIDAVIT ON YOUR BEHALF AT THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA, IT IS THE LEGITIMATE DOCUMENT NEEDED ON YOUR BEHALF TO OBTAIN FOREIGN EXCHANGE  FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA OTHERWISE THE CENTRAL BANK OF  NIGERIA WILL TERMINATE YOUR TRANSFER AS A RESULT OF MONEY TRAFFICKING WHILE REMITTING THIS CASH PRIZE TO YOU.

(2). INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK  DRAFT : (I.C.B.D) YOU ARE TO PROVIDE TO US YOUR CURRENT RESIDENT ADDRESS WHERE THE BANK DRAFT WILL BROUGHT TO YOU AND YOU WILL CASH IT UPON RECEIVING IT IN ANY BANK OF YOUR CHOICE  IN YOUR COUNTRY, THIS WILL COST YOU THE TOTAL SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS ( $550 )  FOR INSURANCE.

THE UNITED BANK PLC ADVICE YOU TO SEND THIS MONEY IN THE NAME OF OUR ACCOUNT OFFICER MR.EJIKE JOHNKENNEDY OSUOHA THROUGH "MONEY GRAME MONEY TRANSFER" IN YOUR PROVINCE COUNTRY.
 
YOU ARE TO FILL THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BELOW AT THE MONEY GRAME OFFICE IN YOUR PROVINCE AND REMEMBER TO RETURN AND SEND  THE DETAILED INFORMATION YOU FILLED AT THE MONEY GRAME OFFICE VIA OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS SO THAT WE CAN INSTRUCT OUR ACCOUNT OFFICER TO PICK UP THE MONEY THAT YOU SENT THINGS TO RETURN ARE AS FOLLOWS.
 
1.SENDER'S NAME:YOUR OWN NAME
 
2.SENDER'S ADDRESS:YOUR OWN ADDRESS
 
3.RECEIVER'S NAME:MR.EJIKE JOHNKENNEDY OSUOHA(ACCOUNT OFFICE)
 
4.RECEIVER'S ADDRESS: NO 3 OKIGWE ROAD ABUJA NIGERIA

5.LOCATION: NIGERIA
 
6.AMOUNTPAID:
 
7.CONTROLNUMBER:
 
8.TEXT QUESTION :WHAT IS YOUR QUALITY
 
9.TEXT ANSWER: UNITED
 
WE WAIT YOUR IMMEDIATE ANTICIPATION.
 
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR ATTIKU BELLO.

 
   MANAGER INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT UNITED  BANK PLC.
             

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam