419 scam: "DeStefano, Deanna" <ddestefano@YCS.org> Reference NO: FRL-13-22-30-34-42

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",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)
- ",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)
- "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 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.
- +32466203772 (Belgium, prepaid mobile phone)
- 01132466203772
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.
- hansfreelot@aol.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "DeStefano, Deanna" <ddestefano@YCS.org>
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 12:54:21 -0400
Subject: Reference NO: FRL-13-22-30-34-42

Reference NO: FRL-13-22-30-34-42
AWARD BONANZA NOTIFICATION.
We are pleased to inform you of the release of the results of the FREE LOTTO SWEEPSTAKES INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM held on the 7th of September, 2013 in Brussels Belgium. Due to mix up of some names and numbers, the results were later released today.
Your email address attached to ticket number K-10008755-4 with serial number 2215-13 draw lucky numbers 05-10-21--28-30*6, which consequently won in the 1St category.
You have therefore been approved for a lump payout of EUR2,500,000.00 (TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND EUROS) in cash credited to file REF.NO: FRL-13-22-30-34-42. This is from a total cash prize of EUR20,000,000.00 (TWENTY MILLION EUROS), shared among all international winners in this category. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
To begin your claim, please contact your claim agent, MR. SEBASTIAN HANS, the Foreign Operations Manager of FREE LOTTERY AGENCY INTERNATIONAL BRUSSELS BELGIUM. TEL: +32-466-203-772 /+01132-466-203-772 Contact Email: hansfreelot@aol.com for processing and remittance of your prize money to you. Remember: all prize money must be claimed not later than 30 working days. After this date, all funds will be returned to the MINISTRY OF ECONOMY & PROPERTY as unclaimed Fund.
We expect you to provide them with details of the information below, for the processing of your winning documents.
1). Full Names:
2). Residential Address:
3). Occupation:
4). Sex/age:
5). Phone/Fax Numbers:
6). Country of Resident:
7). Nationality:
8). Reference Number:
9). Serial Number:
10). Amount Won:
11). Your Winning Email Address
12). A Scan Copy of Any of Your Valid Identification Proof:
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delay and complications, please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in every of your correspondence with us or your claims agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once again from all members of our staff and thank you for being a part of our promotion program.
Yours sincerely,
Helen Smica
Reply to: hansfreelot@aol.com

Confidentiality Notice:
This e-mail message and any attachments from Youth Consultation Service are confidential and for the sole use of the intended recipient.
Additionally, this communication may contain Protected Health Information ("PHI"). PHI is confidential information that may only be used or disclosed in accordance with applicable law (HIPAA). There are penalties under the law for the improper use or further disclosure of PHI.
If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the communication to the intended recipient, then you may not read, copy, distribute or otherwise use or disclose the information contained in this message. If you received this message in error, please notify us by telephone at 973.482.8411 or by e-mail at postmaster@ycs.org <mailto:postmaster@ycs.org>.
Please indicate that you were not the intended recipient, and confirm that you have deleted the original message. Please do not retransmit the contents of the message.
Thank you

Anti-fraud resources:

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