419 scam: John England Jr <tdf-mack1@comcast.net> CONGRATULATIONS(YOU ARE A FREE LOTTO WINNER)!!!

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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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "hundred thousand 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
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.
- +447011127907 (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.
- agentdavidford7@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: John England Jr <tdf-mack1@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:13:46 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS(YOU ARE A FREE LOTTO WINNER)!!!

After
this automated computer ballot, your e-mail address emerged as a winner with the
following numbers attached Ticket Number: FF 4402/70091.You are therefore to
receive a cash prize of $2,500,000.00. (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars).

You are advised to contact
our Accredited claims agent with the information below:

Name: David
Ford
Phone: +44 701 112 7907
Email: agentdavidford7@yahoo.co.uk

You are advice to
provide him with the following information:

FULL
NAMES:
AGE:
COUNTRY:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
TICKET NUMBER:

Remember to quote your reference information in all correspondence.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part
of our promotional program.

Yours Faithfully,
Richard
Jones.
Lottery Coordinator.
=====================

After
this automated computer ballot, your e-mail address emerged as a winner with the
following numbers attached Ticket Number: FF 4402/70091.You are therefore to
receive a cash prize of $2,500,000.00. (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars).

You are advised to contact our
Accredited claims agent with the information below:

Name: David Ford

Phone: +44 701 112 7907
Email: agentdavidford7@yahoo.co.uk

You are advice to
provide him with the following information:

FULL
NAMES:
AGE:
COUNTRY:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
TICKET NUMBER:

Remember to quote your reference information in all correspondence.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part
of our promotional program.

Yours
Faithfully,
Richard Jones.
Lottery
Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam