419 scam: "Erique Torres" <info@foundation.com> ATTENTION BENEFICIARY.

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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:

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:
- "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!

Fraud email example:

From: "Erique Torres" <info@foundation.com>
Reply-To: debtbuster_loans@live.co.uk
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 07:48:59 +1000
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY.

THE SPANISH FOUNDATION FO BASIC RESEARCH
INNOVAZIONE ACLI MADRID d18/20 - 00153 SPAIN
BATCH NO: (N-222-6747,E-900-56)

Dear Beneficiary.

Congratulations as we bring to your notice,To celebrate the 30th anniversary
program, We are giving out a yearly donation of E1000,000.00 (one million
Euros)to 40 lucky recipients,as charity donations aid,from THE FOUNDATION,
EU, and the UNO in accordance withthen
ablingact of Parliament. which is part of our promotion. To file for your
claim contact, Dr Lance Sullivan

e-Mail:drlancesullivan@live.com
+34672858009

Our European Union Officer will immediately commence the process to
facilitate the release of your funds as soon
as you contact him. You may wish to establish contact via e-mail with the
particulars presented above citing
Information’s below:

CLAIMS VERIFICATION FORM.
Full Name:........................................
Sex:....................................................
Full Malling Address:......................
Country:............................................
Phone Number:................................
Fax Number:......................................
Occupation:........................................
Monthly Income:................................
Company Name:...............................
E-mail Address:................................
Age:...................................................
WINNING INFORMTATIONS:
Batch Numbers:..................................
Amount Won:.....................................

Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and
press anonymity until the end of proceedings,
and beyond where they so desire. Be further advised to maintain the
strictest level of confidentiality until the end of
proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims. This
is part of our precautionary measure to
avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.

Goodluck from me and members of staff of the FOUNDATION.
Yours faithfully,

Dr Lance Sullivan.
Foundation Officer.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam