419 scam: "Catholic Aid Association"<info@catholicaidassociation.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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million united state 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)
- "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)
- ",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)
- "united state dollar" (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 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.
- revcharleswinger@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Catholic Aid Association" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <revcharleswingerr@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:12:06 +0100
Subject: congratulations!

I am writing to notify you that you were chosen by the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Aid Association (NGO USA) as one of the final Recipients of a Cash Grant/Donation Economic growth and a poverty alleviation scheme. Catholic Aid Association (U.S.A) a Multi-Million Pounds NGO group established with the objective Of Human Growth, Educational and Community development.

In line with the 30 years anniversary program, the Catholic Aid Association (U.S.A) in conjunction with the European Council is giving out One Hundred Million United State Dollars as specific Donations/Grants to 150 lucky international recipients worldwide in different categories for Business development and Social. These funds are given for your business and educational development, charitable work and your community development at large. You are entitled to receive 2 million United State Dollars.
You are required to Contact immediately the Catholic Aid United State
paying Fiduciary Agent below by email. Endeavour to quote
Your Qualification Number: (A-222-1147, B-700-66) for qualification
documentations, verification and processing of your US$2,000,000.00 entitlement, also provide the information listed below to avoid transfer mistake.

Rev.Charles Winger,
Fiduciary Agent,
15619 Crossbay Blvd
Howard Beach, NY 11414
Email: revcharleswinger@aol.com

Your full name
Complete mailing address
Telephone and fax number
Age
Occupation
Marital Status
Please note that these donations/Grants administered by a United State
Fiduciary Agents and therefore subject to U.S Banking Laws. You are advised to keep this information confidential until you have collected your donation, this is to avoid double and unqualified claim, due to beneficiaries informing third parties on cash grant donation.

On behalf of the Board, kindly accept our warmest congratulations!

Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Juliet Boboli
Catholic Aid Association
3499 Lexington Ave. N.
St. Paul, MN 55126

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam