419 scam: "BMW GROUP"<promotionaward@ng.com> PRIZE AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION!!

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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:
- "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- anthonygold@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BMW GROUP" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <anthonygold@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 14:00:15 -0700
Subject: PRIZE AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION!!

BMW GROUP PRIZE AWARD,
PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
BMW GROUP
12 Garden Close, Apapa,
Lagos Nigeria.

PRIZE AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION.

This is to inform you of the results of the draws of our Grand Bonanza International Program(GBIP) held on the 22nd March, 2010 in the Nigeria. We are pleased to notify you that you emerge one of the winners in this Program and you have been awarded with a cash prize of (One Million Dollars).

The selection process was carried out through random computer balloting from an online database of World Wide Web sites of over 1,000,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world. And your email address was selected among the Ten Lucky Winners in this Program.

This Program is approved by the Nigeria Gaming Board and also Licensed by The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). This Promotional Program is the 3rd in its series which we intend to hold annually in conformity with our corporate policy and sense of social responsibilities.

Your Draw Code Number is 10-12-13-17-31-37-44 and your Reference Number is BNS-NL/02CTG/3103/14NG.

To begin the processing of your winning, you are to contact our representative, Mr. Anthony Gold by sending your claims requirements to him on the E-mail below:

anthonygold@sify.com

Claims Requirements:
==================

1.Name in full.....................................................
2.Address......................................................... .
3.Nationality........................................................
4.Age...................................................................
5.Occupation........................................................ .
6.Phone/Fax....................................................
7.Draw Code No................................................
8.Reference No..................................................
9.Amount won...................................................
10.Country of residence......................................
11.Gender...........................................................
12. A scan copy of a means of identification.I.e Drivers license, Nation Id card, International passport or national voters card.

(IMPORTANT NOTICE)
*Winners are advised to keep their winning details/information from the public, to avoid fraudulent claims pending the final transfer/claim by Winner.
*All Staff of the BMW Group are not to partake in this Promotional Program and please don't reply this mail,contact the claims officer.

Accept our hearty congratulations!

Mrs. Julia Smith
Head of Public Relations Dept.
BMW GROUP COMPANY.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam