419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "22 garden close, stamford" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
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: "2010 SOUTH AFRICA WORLD CUP" <bidlottery_uk@cantv.net>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:04:24 -0430
Subject: BID VEST LOTTERY SOUTH AFRICA WORLD CUP 2010 YOU HAVE WON THE SUM OF
$2,100.000.00 UNITED STATE DOLLAR

THE BID VEST LOTTERY PROMOTION DEPARTMENT.
22 Garden Close, Stamford ,
Lincs , PE9 2YP ,Santon
South Africa .
Reference Number: : 2541236004/25.

www.southafrica.info .
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup

Dear Winner,
Your Reference 2541236004/25.and drew to the lucky number: 29
Congratulations, You have a cash prize of $3,100.000.00 in the satellite
software email lottery. On line Sweepstakes,International program held on
15th of May 2009 For South Africa 2010 World Cup, Conducted by BID VEST
LOTTERY BOARD in which your e-mail address was pick randomly by software
powered by the Internet.

CONTACT OUR CLAIMS AGENT: Dr.Louis Smith
TEL: +27786314782
Email: dr.louis-smith@live.com

Forward the following details to enable us clear your file for immediate
payment and delivery of your winnings:

1.Full Names:
2.Address:
3.Age:
4.Sex:
5.Occupation:
6.Phone numbers:
7.Fax number:
8.Country:
9.Won Before:
10.Email:
11.Annual Income
Mrs. Christiana Blee

THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS BID VEST LOTTERY AWARD SOUTH AFRICA .

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam