419 scam: OSA LOTTERY <osa.lottery@btinternet.com> CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT IMMEDIATELY

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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "overseas subscribers agents" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "claim 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!
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.
- +442081337384
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.
- dennismoore17@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: OSA LOTTERY <osa.lottery@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: dennismoore17@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:46:52 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT IMMEDIATELY

FROM THE DESK OF MRS PRESTY BETTS

101 Wigmore
Street,

London
W1U 1QU

United
Kingdom

ATTENTION: DEAR WINNER

From the Overseas Subscribers Agents (OSA), in assistance
with the International Lottery Board of Commissions, We happily announce to you
that you have won an award of $370,000 at the Asia Payment
Center !!!

TICKET NUMBER: 23-04-31-77-GH

SERIAL NUMBERS: 266-194-19

Your e-mail address above is attached to ticket number:
23-04-31-77-GH which drew the lucky numbers: 65 32 09 12 00 36 43, which subsequently
won you the lottery in Category 2D. Please contact the Claiming Agent with all
the following information.

Name:

Home phone:

Mobile Phone:

Age:

Occupation:

Current Address:

Ticket Number:

Contact Your Claim Agent Below Via His Email Address Immediately

NAME: MR DENNIS MOORE

TELL: +442081337384

Email: dennismoore17@gmail.com

He will need to confirm everything we have on file to ensure
that, there will be no set backs upon the release of these funds to you. I want
you to know that verification and confirmation of all of your payment documents
have been sent to our affiliate company, (The International Lottery Board of
Commissions) from our processing office.
Also note that our processing coordinator who has been evaluated by our
legal department will verify your winning information. This will leave you the true beneficiary of
the won award under the Overseas Subscribers Agents (OSA), and zoned under the
China Tax Revenue office.

Due to a mix up of some email addresses, we ask that you
keep this award from public notice until your claim has been fully processed,
as this is a part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or
unwarranted abuse of this program by participants.

Congratulations once more from all members and staff of this
program and thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program!!!

Note: Do not reply to this email! Contact your claiming
agent above immediately.

Sincerely,

MRS PRESTY BETTS

Correspondent Agent

Overseas Subscribers Agents.

UNITED KINGDOM,
ASIA, AND USA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam