419 scam: andrew siphiwe <microsandrewoffice@gmail.com> DEAR WINNER(CLAIM PROCEDURE)

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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "accredited attorney" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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!
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +27834240412 (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.
- barrister.alexwilliams@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: andrew siphiwe <microsandrewoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 06:25:33 -0700
Subject: DEAR WINNER(CLAIM PROCEDURE)

Dear Winner/Beneficiary,

We wish to inform you that, we have approved you after verifications
as rightful winner of the promotional draw held in Essex United
Kingdom as earlier informed. Your e-mail address attached to ticket
number: b9564 75604545 100, ref.; number 2008234522 drew the winning
numbers.

We attach to this mail your "Lottery Winner Approval Award
Certificate" and Insurance Certificate. Please note that your winnings
have been insured against tamper or deductions by our insurers (OLD
MUTUAL INSURANCE) this insurance serves as a security against any
Agent tampering with winners fund in accordance with our agreement
with the Government of South Africa. And it is done to guard against
blemishes against our reputable organisation.
May we inform you now that the amount you won is now ready in our
affiliate bank for remittance into the account that you designated to
be paid with. All you have to do is to:

1. Make an arrangement to come to South Africa and Sign your 'Payment
Release Order’. Or
2. Get our accredited Attorney in South Africa to certify/notarize
colour-scanned copy of your Passport/Identity document (which must
match with the information’s which you filled earlier) The Attorney
will have to present your certified documents to the payment agent
here (South Africa) and Sign your 'Payment Release Order' on your
behalf for the release of your money into your designated account. .

This is to make sure that we are paying the rightful winner and MUST
be done before the Payment Agent will tell the bank to pay you. Should
you fulfil these requirements, your winnings will be paid to you the
following day.

Reply me with which options is best for you. If you chose option 2
please contact the board accredited attorney with your personal data
and copies of your winning and insurance certificate. His details is

Advocate Alexander Williams
ALEX WILLIAMS CHAMBERS
(Solicitors &advocate, notary public)
Apart 21, plot 54 commissioner street
(Financial Building)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel; +27834240412
Fax; +27867181164
Email; barrister.alexwilliams@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks,
Mr. Andrew Sipiwe. (African regional coordinator)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam