419 scam: "Mr. Patrick Widen" <info@facebookonline.org> (06/14/2013) *** CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK OFFICE ***

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
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.
- fbonline_dispatchdepartment2@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Patrick Widen" <info@facebookonline.org>
Reply-To: <fbonline_dispatchdepartment2@rediffmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:13:42 +0100
Subject: (06/14/2013) *** CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK OFFICE ***

FACEBOOK ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY 2013.
FROM: THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS / PRIZE AWARD.
CATEGORY: 2ND

CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK OFFICE

DEAR BENEFICIARY

I am pleased by Mr. Patrick Widen to inform you of the result that just concluded annual final draws held on the ( 14th of June, 2013 ) by the Facebook group in cash promotion to encourage the usage of Facebook world wide, your javascript: void (0) name was among the lucky winners who won US$1.000.000.00 (One Million States Dollars) each on the Facebook group promotion award attached to Ticket No (5647600545189) and Ref No (2551256002/244) Serial No (55643451907).

The online draws was conducted by a random selection of email which you were picked by an advanced automated random computer search from the Facebook. In other to claim your $1,000,000.00 winnings. The lottery program which is a new innovation by Facebook, is aimed at saying A BIG THANK YOU to all our users for making Facebook their number one means to connect, communicate, relate and hook up with their families and friends over the years.

You are required to contact our dispatch department via the information bellow with the code (FB2013):

HEAD OF DISBURSEMENT DEPARTMENT

Name: Mr. Collins Rubben

Email: fbonline_dispatchdepartment2@rediffmail.com

Facebook Dispatsh Coordinator

Contact him with information below in order for us to complete your winning certificate and for further information regarding the disbursement of your winnings.

FULL NAME:

FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:

MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:

OCCUPATION:

MARITAL STATUS:

AGE:

NATIONALITY / COUNTRY:

TICKET NUMBER:

REF NUMBER:

SERIAL NUMBER:

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS:

SCAN COPY OF YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE OR ID CARD:

All winnings must be claimed not later than end of June, 2013. After this date, all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.

Thanks

Regards,
Mr. Patrick Widen
Promo Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam