419 scam: "Sweep Stake Lotto"<pieterharms@yahoo.com> CONGRATULATION!!!! YOU HAVE WON A LOTTERY

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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 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.
- pieterharms1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Sweep Stake Lotto" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:07:04 -0800
Subject: CONGRATULATION!!!! YOU HAVE WON A LOTTERY

FIDUCIARY AGENCY
VERIFICATION UNIT
SWEEP STAKE LOTTERY
AFFILIATE OF INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY ORGANIZATION.
14 FOX RD, SUITE 321. LONDON W4 3RW ENGLAND

WINNING NOTIFICATION

We happily announce to you the draw of the Sweep stake Lottery International programs held on the 20th of Aug 2009 in London England. Your e-mail address attached to
Ticket number: 644 79543465 B44
Serial Number: 6395-408AWL
Batch Number: D51/10872004PDU
Lottery Reference Number: 63-76-95-27-14
Which subsequently won you the lottery in the 3rd category? You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £2,119,054.00 (Two Million One hundred and nineteen thousand point fifty-four GBP) which is equivalent to US$3,500, 000.00 (Three Million five hundred thousand US Dollars only).
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in London as Indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your £2,119,054.00 (Two Million One hundred and nineteen thousand point fifty-four GBP) which is equivalent to US$3,500,000.00 (Three Million five hundred thousand US Dollars only) would be released to you by the Sweep Stake and our paying bank in London. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money paid to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure is to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. Please be warned! To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Dr.Pieter Harms Email:
pieterharms1@yahoo.com
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, you are to Dr. Pieter Harms with followings details below:

1. Your full name, telephone, contact address, sex and occupation
2. Quote your Ticket number in any correspondences with our designated agent.

Congratulations, once more from all members and staffs of this .
programcontact
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT DR. PIETER HARMS DIRECTLY.

Best Regards,

Mrs. Caroline .J. Smith
SWEEP STAKE Zonal Coordinator

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam