419 scam: antonio da costa <antoniodacosta.agent.lotery2010@gmail.com> 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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "first national bank" (not involved with lotteries)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million united states 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)
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.
- +27835844694 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- antoniodacosta2009@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: antonio da costa <antoniodacosta.agent.lotery2010@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:21:55 +0200
Subject: Congratulations.

*International Football Associations Board [IFAB]
Confederation of African Football [CAF]
In Conjunction With: 2010 world cup lottery promotion
Organizing Committee for FIFA World Cups (TM)
For The South African 2010 world cup*

*SOUTH AFRICA 2010 LOTTERY
CONGRATULATIONS*

*ATTENTION WINNER: we are happy to announce to you the result of the
South Africa 2010 lottery promotion held today 14th September 2009,your
email
Address won a star prize of one million United States Dollars.*

*Note: that this program is being sponsored by the FIFA
SUPPORT AFRICAN TEAM, to create awareness for the upcoming 2010 FIFA
World Cup, which is to be hosted by South Africa.*

*Your Funds is now Deposited with our Correspondent Paying Bank (First
National Bank, South Africa) insured in your name. This is part of our
security Protocol to avoid double Claiming or Unscrupulous acts by
participants of this program. You are to forward your winning details to Mr.
Antonio Da Costa to enable Him clear your file for immediate payment:*

*Here are the details you must forward to Mr.Antonio Da Costa, your Claim
agent *

*1. YOUR FULL NAMES:
2. COUNTRY:
3. OCCUPATION:
4. TELEPHONE NUMBER:
5. AGE:
6. SEX:
7. PROMOTION DATE:
8. WINNING NUMBERS: 13-15-16-21-34-36-(8)
9. REFERENCE NO:456/SSS/ESP,
10. BATCH NO:788/688/ESP,*

*Remember you must forward the above information’s to your Claim agent Mr.
Antonio Da Costa. *

*Here is his contact details:*

*CONTACT PERSON: Mr.Antonio Da Costa
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
antoniodacosta2009@yahoo.com<http://mc/compose?to=antoniodacosta2009@yahoo.com>
TELEPHONE NUMBER: + 27 83 584 4694*

*Congratulations once again from all our staff and thank you for being
Part of our promotions program. *

*Promotion Manager.*

*You’re sincerely,*
*Dr.Antonio Da Costa.
(Admin Sec)
All States Building
234, Wood Mead Street
9th Floor Unit 999, Johannesburg, South Africa.
South Africa 2010 Lottery P.*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam