419 scam: London Olympics 2012 <gnoteoffc@gmail.com> CONGRATULATIONS 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:

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")
- ",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)
- "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)
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.
- processingunit9@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: London Olympics 2012 <gnoteoffc@gmail.com>
Reply-To: processingunit9@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 01:39:52 +0900
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE WON!!!

CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE WON!!!

Dear: Lucky Winner-Email user,

we are happy to announce to you that Your email address as indicated
was drawn and attached to Reference number 10765728701 with Batch
numbers UK/2012-087/OLMP, and drew the lucky numbers 2 3 16 30 44 37
Bonus 23 which subsequently won you the total sum of £1,500,000) ONE
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND BRITISH POUNDS. The draws registered as
Draw number one was conducted in (LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM) These Draws
are commemorative as such special that you do not need to buy any
ticket to enter the draws.

Note: This program is being powered by GOOGLE and sponsored by WORLD
BANK in conjunction with the Organizing Committee for the LONDON
OLYMPICS 2012 to create awareness for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games,
which is to be hosted by England.

Your Fund is now deposited with our Correspondent Paying Bank, insured
in your name for security Protocol. You are to forward your winning
reference and batch numbers to Mr. Mark Paulson to enable him clear
your file for immediate payment.

Claim Agent: Mr. Mark Paulson.
E-Mail: processingunit9@gmail.com

YOUR FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
AGE:
SEX:
COUNTRY:
OCCUPATION:
DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL ID:

You are advised to keep your winning details very confidential from
the members of the public to avoid double claiming.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Adline Haack.
(Publicity Secretary)
London Olympics Organizing Committee.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam