419 scam: DV LOTTERY PROGRAM <notification@us.state.gov> Online Job Offer.

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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.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "immigration services" (For real work or immigration visas you will always be dealing with the foreign embassy, high commission or consulate in your country, not directly with the authorities in the country you are trying to move to. If you are being asked to send money to someone outside of your country, then it's a scam. Real visas fees are always payable to the foreign embassy or consulate in your country. Embassies or immigration officials will never use a free webmail address or demand payment by Western Union or to a bank account that is not in the name of the embassy. )
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!
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- procesofficestategov@mail2world.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- mrs. sarah watson through her email address (procesofficestategov@mail2world.com). we accept western union money transfer/money gram (Mail2world; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: DV LOTTERY PROGRAM <notification@us.state.gov>
Reply-To: procesofficestategov@mail2world.com
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:04:41 +0100
Subject: Online Job Offer.

DV LOTTERY.STATE.GOV,
U.S Department of State,
Kentucky Consular Center,
1001 Visa Crest Migrate,
KY 41901-1000.

AMERICAN DV-2010 VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM WINNER: CASE NUMBER 2010AES 00023472

Dear Winner,

It is my pleasure to congratulate you on your success in the AMERICAN
DV2010 VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM which was applied and processed by our
agency.

You were selected as one of the lucky winners on our internet screening
machine,for the DV2010 USA national visa lottery program.

Your visa lottery winner's identity is ID-6200DV and your serial net
visa passport with us is SNVPh700IU.

In this respect, you are directed to forward the following
requirements:
l Your present contact address (for correspondence).
2 Your recent passport photograph.
3 REGULAR MAIL.

You can also send your photo(s) by regular mail. The photo must be
between 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 and 2 by 2 inches (37-50 mm) square, with the
applicant's,spouse's, or child's name printed on the back Please mail
the photos to:

Immigration Services
PA/PL,Rm.3206,
U.S Department of State
Kentucky Consular Center
1001 Visa Crest Migrate,
KY 41901-1000.

Or preferably, you can scan them and send via email for faster
processing.

Clearance/acceptance fees is $1,189.67 Details of requirements: Your
present contact address should be forwarded strictly to our receiving
correspondent, Mrs. Sarah Watson through her email address
(procesofficestategov@mail2world.com).

We accept Western Union Money Transfer/Money Gram as the ONLY payment
method due to some reason from our past experiences. (Credit card is
not acceptable,please.)For information on how to send across the fee,
please contact the Clearance Officer, Mr. Billy Joel through his email
(dvclearanceoffice@mail2world.com).

Your payment confirmation shall be sent to you as soon as clarification
is done on your payment.

Providing the above requirements will assure you of getting
your processed file and Visa Lottery Security Code which we shall send
to your email address. Important notice: Upon completion of
clearance,processing and issuance, please make sure you report and
forward your Visa/Green card file to US Embassy in your individual
country,for other necessary U.S Citizenry papers claims.

According to the United States of America's Code of Conduct and
Constitution Vol176/866:Act690SN guiding all immigration,and Green
Card permit Agencies, Non-Response,7 days after you receive this message
to your winner's status shall reveal "No interest "and we would in
return,refer your lottery Ref:AMERICAN DV2009 VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM
RESULT. code and acknowledgment card back to the USA Government/immigration
Service Center.

We shall be anticipating your reply soon.

Cheers,
Daniel Terry,
Diversity Visa Coordinator,
Consular Affairs Bureau,
U.S Department of State.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam