419 scam: "VW Co. Ltd." <volksmotors@volkswagen.co.uk> Re: Offical 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:

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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "22 garden close, stamford" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "hundred thousand great british pounds" (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)
- "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!
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447045768842 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "VW Co. Ltd." <volksmotors@volkswagen.co.uk>
Reply-To: desk.volksagency@live.com
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:17:30 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Re: Offical Notification.

THE LOTTERY DEPARTMENT
Volkswagen Automobiles
22 Garden Close, Stamford ,
Lincs , PE9 2YP , London
United Kingdom

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION :

This is to inform you that have been selected for a cash prize of
Â£100,000.00(One Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds) and a brand new
Volkswagen Car, International Programs held on the 08th of January 2010
in London Uk.

Description of Volkswagen Car to be shipped to you. (Shipped to you Free)

BRAND:........................................Fifth Edition
MODEL:.......................................2006 Model
COLOUR:......................................Metallic Blue
ENGINE TYPE:...........................1973cc 4-cylinder
POWER:........................................145bhp
TRANSMISSIONS:.......................Adaptive Automatic Transmission
FUEL:............................................29.1mpg (combined

The selection process was carried out through random selection in our
computerized Email selection system (ess) from a database of over
250,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world.

The Volkswagen Car Promotional Lottery is approved by the British Gaming
Board and its also Licensed by the International Association of Gaming
Regulators (IAGR). This lottery is the 3rd of its kind and we intend to
sensitize the public.

To begin the claiming process of your prize you are to contact our
accredited claims officer with the information you shall find below:
==========================================
22 Garden Close, Stamford ,
Lincs , PE9 2YP , London
United Kingdom
E-mail: desk.volksagency@live.com
Phone Number: +44 704 576 8842
Time to call (10am to 5pm London time)
==========================================
Please provide him with your secret pin code which is x7pwyz2006 and your
reference
Number WV: 12052006/21.You are also advised to provide him with the under
listed information
As soon as possible:
Claims Requirements:
1. Name in full----------------------
2. Address---------------------------
3. Nationality------------------------
4. Age--------------------------------
5. Sex--------------------------------
6. Marital status-------------------
7. Next of kin----------------------
8. Occupation----------------------
9. Phone/Fax-----------------------
10. Present Country-----------------
==========================================

If you do not contact our appointed claims agent within 7 working days of
this notification, your winnings would be revoked. Winners are advised to
keep their winning details/information from public view other to help
avoid attempts of double claim (IMPORTANT) pending the transfer/claim by
Winner.
*Winner under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

*Staffs of the Volkswagen Company are not allowed to partake in this Car
Promotional Lottery.

Accept my hearty congratulations once again!

Best Regards,
Mr. Henry Hills
Lottery Manager.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam