419 scam: "Power Ball Office"<Result@powerball.com> Result Desk.

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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:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
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.
- esqdavid.chong@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Power Ball Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <esqdavid.chong@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:58:01 -0000
Subject: Result Desk.

Dear Winner,

We are delighted to inform you about just concluded POWER BALL LOTTERY,final draws of its periodical promotional program, This promotional program is a conjoined effort of POWER BALL LOTTERY ORGANIZATION .

Hence, we congratulate you over your email success in our computer balloting held on 11 March, 2010. This is a promotional program aimed at encouraging Internet users; meaning, you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it. You/Your company email account has been picked as one of the ten winning email addresses in 2010, on the Second category Draw.

Therefore you have been approved of the Star Prize of ( $250,000.00USD) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars only.

You are by this notice informed, that your prize money of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand united states Dollars($250.000.00 USD) has been approved by our board.{POWER BALL LOTTERY ORGANIZATION} Your winning file has been sent to GUARANTY TRUST BANK MALAYSIA from this our London office. For perusal we advice you contact your Claim Agents (David Chong) very shortly regarding on how to link you up to the Bank for transfer of this sum of $250,000 USD to your bank. in your country or any country you choose.

You are required and advice to contact your Claim Agents (David Chong) to furnish you with Bank details for your contact with them.

Below is your Claim Agent Contact:
Contact Person:Barr.David Chong
Email Address:esqdavid.chong@gmail.com

Remember to keep your winning e-mails and date safe.
PLEASE, ALWAYS KEEP THIS TRANSACTION TO YOURSELF FOR SECURITY REASONS AND TO AVOID DOUBLE CLAIMING BY PEOPLE........{NO THIRD PARTY UNTIL YOU GET YOUR MONEY}.

Note:
if you have any question endeavor to write and contact your Claims Agent via this e-mail i.d (esqdavid.chong@gmail.com) to update you on what to do.

on behalf of the members and co-coordinators of POWER BALL LOTTERY ORGANIZATION we say Congratulations once again on your winning and advice you to make use of your money wisely.

Once again accept our sincere congratulations

GOOD LUCK IN CONTACTING YOUR CLAIM AGENT.

Yours in service,

Barr Mrs. Sandra Murphy (Executive),
Mr. Michael Cole (Executive)
Mr. Stephen Boer (Chairman).
Dr. James Williams (Claims Agent)
Mrs. Carol Smith (Online coordinator)

If you have questions or wish to claim your prize money kindly contact this email esqdavid.chong@gmail.com, see the instructions the body of this message

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam