419 scam: "CUSTOMER SERVICE"<contact@megalotto.com> RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE

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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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
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: "CUSTOMER SERVICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <anitagarrido@mycin.net>
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 06:31:59 +1000
Subject: RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE

238 Calle La Union,
28002 Madrid
España

1st JUNE 2010

ATTN: BENEFICIARY

RE: AWARD NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE

We are pleased to inform you today the 1st JUNE 2010 the results of the ¨SPANISH MEGA LOTERIA¨. This promotional programme was held and released on the 29th MAY 2010 as part of our yearly promotions programme. Your email address and name was attached to the winning numbers: 03 15 17 32 36 45, Ticket N?: 01-3220, Batch N?: 82640-0 and Reference N?: ILC/0067060221/07 which consequently won the lottery on the third category. 01,02,08,13,16,24 (compl:31,41)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Your winning amount is eight hundred and seventy thousand,seven hundred and ten Euros (870.710, 00 Euros)in cash,to be paid through one of the following payment options:

(A) PICK-UP (B) BANK WIRE-TRANSFER

Your winning amount is insured in your name under the bond policy coverage for security reasons and will be released for payment by the Spanish Banco España after datas clarifications and certification of the release order.
BENEFICIARIES ARE TO COME TO SPAIN FOR THE LEGAL DECLARATION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FUNDS. IN A SITUATION WHEREBY A BENEFICIARY CAN NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO THE SPAIN,AN ALTERNATIVE DECLARATION PROTOCOL SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED BY YOUR CLAIMS AGENT.

A TOTAL OF 400,817 TICKETS WERE SELECTED AND PLAYED BY MEGA PROMOTION LOTTERY BOARD FOR CITIZENS OF USA,AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND,CANADA, EUROPE,MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA.
Due to mixed up of names,we urge you to keep your reference number highly CONFIDENTIAL until your claim has been processed and your cash remitted to you,as this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by non winners,taking advantage of this program.

For the claiming and remittance of your prize money to your designated bank account, kindly contact your claim'sagent,PABLO BELLUCCI,foreign operations manager of OCASO SEGUROS on Tel:0034 67 285 3180.If you are calling from the United States of America,please dial Tel: 01134 67 285 3180.

Remember,all prize money must be claimed not later than 2ND of JULY 2010, after this date all winning amounts will be returned to the MINISTRY OF HACIENDA as UNCLAIMED.

Note:All beneficiaries must obtain a DECLARATION CERTIFICATE from the MINISTRY OF HACIENDA,MADRID.If there is any change of your address,do inform your Claims Agent as soon as possible.Remember to quote your reference number each time you phone your claims agent.
Please feel free to visit our website http://www.spainselecta.com/index.htm?http://www.spainselecta.com/a_loteria.htm for upcoming lottery draws and special programes.

Sincerely,

Anita Garrido De la Fuente
VICE PRESIDENT

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam