419 scam: "Mr.Fredrick" <stevefredrick@centrum.sk> Compliments,

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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:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "cheque " (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.
- +447423568641

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Fredrick" <stevefredrick@centrum.sk>
Reply-To: stvfredrick808@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:42:35 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Compliments,

Australia lottery Award 2011.
Pol.Liverpool UK.
155, 28090 Madrid.
Ref. N?: ESM/4758961725
Batch. N?: Australia lottery award
code/70564943902/188

YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE LOTTERY AWARD 2011

We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer balloting sweep stake held on 17th Nov, 2011. This is a millennium scientific computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it.Your email address attached to Ticket No:WRNM/SMI/5990 with Serial No:MUOTI/82536 drew the Australia lottery award 2011,Lucky No:10-23-44-72-80 which consequently won the draw in the Second category. You have been approve for the star prize of 5000,000.00 (UK pounds).

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you.This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may tell as we have had cases like this before, please send your information

1.YOUR NAME:.........................
.....
2.YOUR FULL ADDRESS:.............................
TELEPHONE..................................
4.FAX...................................................
5.AGE......................................................
6.SEX:....................................
7.YOUR OCCUPATION:....................
8.COUNTRY:................................
9.NATIONALITY:.........................................

and your winning ticket number,reference numbers and amount won information
for processing of your winning fund to our registered claim agent with address below:

Mr.Steve Fredrick
International Remittance Director
Royal Bank of Scotland.
Tel: +447423568641 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: +447031855785

Be informed that the appointed agent will be required to swear affidavits of lotto claim also remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 17th of Nov 2011. Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications,remember to quote your reference number and batch number in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Once again congratulations. Your email address has brought to you this unexpected luck.

CONGRATULATIONS,

ONCE MORE FROM THE ENTIRE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF AUSTRALIA LOTTERY AWARD

2011.COOPERATION TO ALL OUR LUCKY WINNERS THIS YEAR. THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THIS PROMOTIONAL LOTTERY PROGRAM. OUR SPECIAL THANKS AND GRATITUDE TO BILL GATE OF MICROSOFT AND ALL HIS ASSOCIATES FOR ALLEVIATING POVERTY ROUND THE WORLD.SINCERELY,

Mr.Hill Jonathan.
(Lottery coordinator)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam