419 scam: Stephen Krone <skrone@midpenn.org> MASTER CARD INTERNATIONAL MEGA JACKPOT

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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:
- "million 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)
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.
- +447045756501 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- joseph_kelly009@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Stephen Krone <skrone@midpenn.org>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:49:12 -0400
Subject: MASTER CARD INTERNATIONAL MEGA JACKPOT

MASTER CARD INTERNATIONAL MEGA JACKPOT
BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
Master card No: 5148 6547 8940 6543
Reg. No. Master/Visa: 5148/4178
Ballot winning No: 6782

MASTER CARD INTERNATIONAL MEGA JACKPOT UK.
TABLE OF REWARD.
Your company or your personal e-mail address, attached to the Master
card No:5148 6547 8940 6543, won in the sixth (6) PROMO categories 007,
Your email address has brought you an unexpected luck, please read through this message.
Note:You are to qoute the below numbers regarding your mastercard to your claims Administrator In cash Credited to Master card No. 5148 6547
8940 6543, and With Reg. No. MCIM.5148/4178, In cash Credited to Master card No. 5148 6547 8940 6543, and
With Reg. No. MCIMJ:won £6.6, million Pounds each.Be informed that your winning prize (Master card No: 5148 6547 8940
6543) has been insured and ready for disbursement by the well known
"BARCLAYS BANK UK".

Make sure you send an email to the email address below for
file keeping.
Claims Administrator
Name: Mr.Joseph Kelly
Phone: +44 70457 56501
E-mail:joseph_kelly009@yahoo.com.hk

Your funds £6.6, million pounds, has been lodge in this master card (5148 6547 8940 6543), insured and ready for payment by the
Barclays Bank.
1. MICROSOFT INT. ( BILL GATES)
2. DELL INTERNATIONAL.
3. SONY ELECTRONICS
Secretary
Mr.Stephen Krone
Mastercard/Microsoft mega jackpot

________________________________
This electronic mail message and any attachments are intended only for the personal and confidential use of the individual to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use or disclosure of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply electronic mail message and delete the original message. Your compliance is appreciated.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam