419 scam: "Mr. X" <notify@canmax-cn.com> Sweepstake Winners Alert2020

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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:
- "insurance fee " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "foreign service manager" (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)
- "adm.unionexcelseguro@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known 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 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.
- +34631181361 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. X" <notify@canmax-cn.com>
Reply-To: adm.unionexcelseguro@yandex.com
Date: Sun, 10 May 2020 19:25:54 +0200
Subject: Sweepstake Winners Alert2020

Mega Million Sweepstake Lottery Claim File Number: EG/0084/5170024 Batch Nu=
mber: 100000488/US Good Day Sir/Madam, We are happy to inform you on the re=
lease of Mega Millions Spanish sweepstake international lottery program hel=
d on the 11th January, 2020.Due to the coronavirus Covid-19 lockdown in Spa=
in,the results were later released on the 28th April,2020. Your name was en=
tered as a dependent client attached with claim file number: EG/0084/517002=
4 with batch number:100000488/US which drew the lucky numbers 54-3-62-58-4-=
15-7 and consequently won the lottery in the 3rd category. You have therefo=
re been approved a lump sum payment of ($3,816.900 USD) Three million,Eight=
Hundred and Sixteen thousand,and Nine Hundred dollars only) in cash credit=
ed to claim file numbers. This is from a total cash prize of ($250.756.820 =
USD) Two hundred and fifty million seven hundred and fifty six thousand eig=
ht hundred and twenty dollars only) Shared among International winners in t=
his 3rd category Congratulations!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! Congrat=
ulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This program was designed and promoted by European=
Union in collaboration with US Government. All participants were selected =
through Visa Card, Master Card, American Express Card, email addresses on a=
computer ballot result that was drawn from over one million names from Asi=
a, Hong Kong, New Zealand, America, Europe and South pacific, are selected =
as part of international promotion program, your name is included as one of=
the lucky winners in Mega Millions lottery draw in a bigger cash prize awa=
rd. To begin your lottery claim please contact your claim agent immediately=
Angelo Reyes Jesus Ruiz foreign service manager of Union Excel Seguros on =
Telephone: +34-631-181-361 Email: adm.unionexcelseguro@yandex.com for the p=
rocessing and remittance of your winning prize to a designated account of y=
our choice. Note:You are expected to be in Madrid office to claim and sign =
your fund legalization documents. If you are unable to travel to Madrid Spa=
in, then you must be responsible for the cost of the home delivery.A home d=
elivery fee and insurance fee will be paid to our accredited diplomat befor=
e your certified check will be sent out to your home address. Consequently,=
a wire transfer could also be made directly into your bank account however=
you must be responsible for the Cost of Transfer charges.This is the respo=
nsibility of the winner in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complicati=
ons, therefore no deduction what so ever is permitted to be made from the s=
ource. Due to false practices, we ask that you keep your award information =
strictly away from public notice, until your claim has been processed and w=
inning prize remitted to your possession as this is part of our security pr=
otocol to avoid double claiming or unwarranted abuse of this program by uns=
crupulous individuals. In conclusion, it=92s my concern to demand your ulti=
mate honesty, co-operation and confidentiality to enable us conclude this t=
ransaction. Please keep this very confidential and do not discuss it with a=
nybody. Don.Pedro Lucas President Mega Million Commission Board=20

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