419 scam: World Annual SkypeÂ© / MicrosoftÂ© & Yahoo!Â© <notification@skype.co.uk> YOU HAVE WON

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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "microsoft lottery" (no such lottery exists)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",000,000" (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)
- "certified bank draft" (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. )
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.
- +447045735041 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: World Annual SkypeÂ© / MicrosoftÂ© & Yahoo!Â© <notification@skype.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:08:35 -0700
Subject: YOU HAVE WON

World Annual Skype© / Microsoft© & Yahoo!© Internet Users Award

Annual Random Charity International,

102, Denton Manchester Lancashire M34 3GE

ONLINE AWARD PROMOTIONAL LOTTO.

Dear lucky winner,

We happily announce to you the draw of 2011 World Annual Skype©/Microsoft© & Yahoo!© Internet Users Award International Program held annually, in London England. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 0098876 with serial number: MSL099876 and draw lucky numbers: 9-4-17-39-23-13; which subsequently won you lottery in the 1st category of files number: FA1265U-ID Batch Number:0173k Reference Number: 03-QH-06. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of $1,000,000.00 (One million dollar) in International Certified Bank Draft.

All participants in this lottery program were selected annual randomly through a computer ballot system, drawn from 100,000,000 individuals, companies, organizations and corporate bodies email addresses from all search engines.

Participants for the draws were also randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of web host which we enjoy their e- business patronage.

However, no tickets were sold but all email addresses were attached to different ticket numbers for representation and privacy. Your e-mail address was picked by the automated computer ballot system which has been programmed for this random selection. This eventually qualified you for our lottery prize.

This promotional program held annually was promoted and sponsored by Microsoft Inc©, Yahoo! & Skype© ITC Companies as a humanitarian aid to eradicate poverty in line with the Global 2020 Vision. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Asian representative booklet in London, United Kingdom; as indicated in your file number:FA1265U -ID.

Sequel to this, your $1,000,000.00 (One million dollar) International Certified Bank Draft have be released and forwarded to our Asian Representative Office in London, United Kingdom.

You are hereby informed to contact our Asia payment office in London, United Kingdom with the below contact information, for the immediate release of your won prize:

Dr JAMES POWELL

Afro Asian Claims Payment Representative,

Skype/Microsoft/ Yahoo! Payment Office

P.O. Box 1010

Liverpool,

L70 1NL,

Tel: (+44) 704 573 5041

Email: jamespowell@qq.com

Due contact your payment representative immediately for your payment without delay.

For security purposes and clarity we advice that you keep your winning information confidential and not to be disclosed to anyone until your claim have been fully processed and your winning Prize is delivered to you. BE WARNED!

Yours Faithfully,

Sarah Lee Richards (MRS)

{National Coordinator Skype©/ Microsoft© /Yahoo!© Award}

N.B:

1. All claims are nullified after 30 working days from today.

2. Your Ref number must be in all your mails with the claims officer.

3. Do inform the claims officer of any change of names or addresses.

4. Do not send any money or make payment to your claims agent.

5. Please do not reply to this email. Contact your claims agent.

____________________________________________________________________

Copyright 1995-2011 MICROSOFT LOTTERY. All rights reserved.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam