419 scam: "Star World Lotteries" <starworld@mail.kz> YOU HAVE WON CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "famouskfi010@mail.kz" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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: "Star World Lotteries" <starworld@mail.kz>
Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:07:30 +0600
Subject: YOU HAVE WON CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Star World Lotteries,
Corporate Headquarters: Maliebaan 38-40, 3581CR,
Rotterdam, The Ireland.

Dear Sir/Madam,

With utmost joy, we are pleased to inform you of the result of the
Star World Lotteries programs, held on the 1th of April 2010, which
drew a cash prize of $950,000.00. Your e-mail address attached to
Ticket/Code number TK7561/0429076B with claim/reference number
2917-5598 drew these lucky numbers 0097-44746-041-764-64-2020, which
consequently won in the 2nd ! category. You have been approved to
receive a cash prize of $950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand
USD) only.

Be advised that due to incessant mix up in cash prize transfer to
previous winners, we advise that you keep your winning information
confidential until your claim has been processed and released to you.
This security measure is critical; its a measure put in place to avoid
double claims, transfer and unwarranted abuse of this program by other
participants.

METHOD OF SELECTING WINNERS:

Participants were selected anonymously through a private ballot system
(computer ballot) from over 35,000 companies and 700,000 individual
e-mail addresses all over the world. At the final draw your e-mail
address emerged as the winner of our last jackpot. This promotional
program is promoted and sponsored by Orient software corporation
(Orient Networks).

It is meant to reward some individuals and corporations who have
devoted their time ! and resources surfing the World Wide Web (www)
with their email addresses. Remember, all winning must be claimed not
later than 7 working days from the day of Notification. After the
expiration of that time frame, if your funds are unclaimed, it will be
refunded to us and included in our next draws.

NOTE THAT WINNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COURIER OF THEIR CHEQUE TO
AVOID MUCH DELAY. Lastly, in order to avoid unnecessary
delays/complications with the transfer of your funds to you, please
always remember to quote your Code number in all correspondence with
our paying agency(West African Monetary Institute, Accra, Ghana)
Stating your full names, age and address, your telephone number, fax
number if any, your occupation and your likely payment option.

Furthermore, should there be any change of your present address,
please notify us immediately so to make the appropriate adjustment.
You are to contact the fiduciary paying agency as mentioned below for
the processing of your claims.

West African Monetary Agency
Contact person: Mr. Famous Kofi.
Claims Processing/Legal Department
E-mail: famouskfi010@mail.kz
Tel: +233-20 9902580

Contact your claims agent now for your wining price and get back to us
as soon as possible.

Congratulations once again

Star World Lotteries,
Corporate Headquarters: Maliebaan 38-40, 3581CR,
Rotterdam, The Ireland.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam