419 scam: "Mrs.Nadia Maimoona Ragunathan"<icon_georgia@msn.com> 12TH MARCH 2010 (-Payment No.M40912-)

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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:
- "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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- hmcustomer.dept01@kimo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Nadia Maimoona Ragunathan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hmcustomer.dept01@kimo.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:24:10 +0800
Subject: 12TH MARCH 2010 (-Payment No.M40912-)

SELENA AWARD MALAYSIA!
Aras 18, Menara Maxis
KLCC, Off Jalan Ampang
50088 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.
Fax No-: 09-2330 0008

(Customer Services)
Payment No.M40912

Dear Winner,

We Happily Announce to you the draw (P479) of the SELENA AWARD Online Sweepstakes International program held on 12th Of MARCH 2010. Your e-mail Address is attached to Ticket number: 2-4-16-37-89-40-85 with Serial number 2268/02 drew the lucky numbers: which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category.You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of $500,000,00 US Dollars (Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars)in ATM CARD credited to file KTU/10231118308/08.

All participants for the online version were selected randomly from World Wide Web sites through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 Unions, Associations and corporate bodies that are listed online. This promotion takes place weekly. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Asian Booklet representative office here in Malaysia as indicated in your play coupon.

Our 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 your claim is processed and your money remitted to you.This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claims and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned. We have Already Sent your Winning Package to Our Courier Company for Delivery to you,To file for your claim, please contact our agent with your complete details:

[1] Full Names:________________
[2] Contact address________________________
[3] Direct Telephone No: ___________________
[4] Occupation : __________________________

To file for your Claim, please contact our Agent Via Email or Phone:
NAME - MR.SHAFFIE BIN HASSAN
TELEPHONE: +60103822213
+60103886712
E-mail: hmcustomer.dept01@kimo.com

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE MEMBERS AND STAFF OF SELENA AWARD DEPARTMENT MALAYSIA.

Yours Faithfully,
Mrs.Nadia Maimoona Ragunathan
Selena Award Executive Manager.
Malaysia Head Office.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam