Protect Yourself and Report the Latest Frauds, Scams, Spams, Fakes, Identify Theft Hacks and Hoaxes
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Have you received an email from "Mrs. Sandra Niko" at "EURO MILLION LOTTERY - National Trust Agency" telling you that "your email address won in the second category" or something similar, and to contact "Dr. Pauly Ulrich" to collect your winnings? It is a scam. No legitimate, legal lottery notifies winners vian email (see footnote)! The scammers may change the names and details, but it is still a scam!
Below is the example of the fake email scam (the email is the scam, not any persons or companies named in the email) claiming to be from the "EURO MILLION LOTTERY - National Trust Agency".
Although the most important clue is that no legitimate lottery will ever email a winner, there are many other signs that this is a fraud. We have highlighted some of these in the email below, not the least of which are:
Email address ballot: There is no such thing as a "computer ballot system" or "computer email draw". No one, not even Microsoft has a database of email addresses of the type or magnitude they suggest.
"No tickets were sold": You care to explain where the money comes from? Perhaps the lottery money fairy? Why would a lottery give away money to "email address randomly selected by a computer ballot draw system"? This is CLEARLY nonsense: you MUST, repeat MUST buy a ticket to have a chance of winning any lottery!
Terrible spelling, punctuation, syntax and grammar - Scammers apparently don't know how to use spell checkers. We assume they dropped out of school before that class. They use almost excessive and random CapItaLiZAtion. Names are usually in all capital letters for some reason known only to these illiterate criminals. They often can't even spell "February" or know that "22th" ought to be "22nd". These scammers usually write at the 3rd grade level. Being non-native English speakers, they also often get first names and surnames (last names reversed), so you will frequently see names like "Mr. SMITH JAMES.", instead of "Mr. James Smith", along with the peculiar usage of periods (full stops) and spaces or the lack thereof. Real lotteries also proofread their emails and look and read more professional.
Using free email account: The scammer is writing to you from a FREE email account (Yahoo, Hotmail, Excite, AIM, Gmail, etc.). Don't you think a real organization would use it's own email, it's own domain and website?
Keep Confidential - Real lotteries THRIVE on publicity - they don't want you to keep anything secret - the publicity causes people to buy more tickets. there is NO risk of "double claiming" because they can validate where the ticket numbers were sold. The scammer want you to keep quiet because they don't want the police or ConsumerFraudreporting to hear about them! It should read: "For our own security, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential until we have finished scamming you!"
Email notification: NO REAL LOTTERY SENDS AN EMAIL TO NOTIFY WINNERS. Period. Full-stop. End of story. There mere fact ALONE that you received an email saying you won a lottery is proof that it is a scam.
Here is a typical scam lottery winning notification.
Subject: CLAIM PAYMENT PROCESSING FORM
Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 10:37:35 -0400
From: nationaltrustp@aim.comCLAIM PAYMENT PROCESSING FORM
National Trust Agency
Avenidal del Petroleo 222 madrid.
Madrid -Spain .
Tel:+34 628-652-243
Fax:+34 911-817-561
Attn:Beneficiary
We happily announce to you the International Email Address draw of the EURO MILLION LOTTERY held in March 2008.in cash credited to file REF:XYL /26510460037/02. with the following digit information below:
Ticket No :UW/83/02/ED
Ref. Nš:ESM/WIN/008/05/10/MA
Congratulations from members of our staff, We acknowledge the receipt of your email with request to file for your winning prize. We write to clarify and explain our mode of service that we render to client on lottery claim related issue.Your email address attached to ticket star number (45407) with serial number 51622 drew the EUROMILLION lucky numbers 3-18-40-40-76 which consequently won the draw in the Second category
Firstly, our ultimate aim is to ensure that the Prime Winner receive his/her winning prize. You are required to print and fill the CLAIM/ PROCESSING FORM in capital letters and return back to us by scanned E-mail attachment or by fax number:+34 911-817-561 for verification from the Lottery Company.
Secondly, when you have been fully confirm as the Prime Winner after verification exercise from the Lottery Company we will start the processing of your claim by sending you the Payment Scheme Form to indicate the mode of payment you preferred which will be forwarded to the paying office to effect payment of your winning prize. The processing of your claims will be completed in three - four working days and subsequently you will receive your winning prize.
Your winning prize is covered with HIGH INSURANCE POLICY which is in accordance with article 34b subsections 132 of the International Lottery regulations as amended in the 1996 constitution this is to protect the Prime Winner of his/her claims and to avoid misappropriation of the funds.
Be assured that in line with our principles of efficiency, transparency and customers satisfaction, we will handle all verification with the highest level of professionalism and discretion to ensure you receive your winning prize within shortest possible time.
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your winning Prize have been remitted into your nominated account. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
There will be a grand ceremony for all lucky winner as soon as you receive your winning prize, were you will be invited to Spain to meet the sponsor of this year euro million award 2008.We shall duly invite you by then. You are advice to call Dr. Pauly Ulrich, Director of Operations on his direct telephone number Tel:+34 628-652-243, As soon as you send the Claim Processing Form.
Once again
Congratulations!!!
Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 20th April,2008.After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed.
Best regards
Mrs. Sandra Niko
Claim Dept.
2/04/2008
Click here for the huge list of the names of the currently identified lottery scams companies
* Re: emails of winnings. We know of only ONE exception in the world to this rule - and if you bought a ticket from them, you would know it, and would used their safegaurds.
* Re: emails of winnings. We know of only ONE exception in the world to this rule - and if you bought a ticket from them, you would know it, and would not be questioning it.