Spam from the 'lotto' scammers
From
Wikipedia:
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A
typical lottery scam begins with an unexpected email
notification that "You have won!" a large sum of money in a
lottery. The recipient of the message--the target of the
scam--is usually told to keep the notice secret, "due to a
mix-up in some of the names and numbers," and to contact a
"claims agent."
After
contacting the agent, the target of the scam will be asked to
pay "processing fees" or "transfer charges" so that the winnings
can be distributed, but will of course never receive any lottery
payment.
Many
email lottery scams use the names of legitimate lottery
organizations, but this does not mean the legitimate
organizations are in any way involved with the scams. |
A development of the Chain-letter scam,
and the
Nigerian 419 scam, the 'Lotto' scam is rapidly passing in to Internet
history as the most popular MMF scam around. These spams
are for the millions and millions of US dollars, pounds Sterling, Euros and
cars being 'won' by the gullible and greedy on the Internet. The MMF catch
is that to 'claim the prize you won', even though you did not enter the
'lottery', you have to pay a 'processing fee'. Needless to pay that once you
pay the fee, you never here anything more from the scammer, let alone see
the money 'you won'.
"In order to claim their ‘prize’ recipients are asked to provide their bank account details and told that 5-10 per cent of the winnings will be retained for costs. However the ‘winners’ are later contacted and asked for a various fees in order to release their alleged prize, and they never receive a
penny."
As the scam has gone on, so the amounts being offered get larger and larger.
As time has gone on, some of the lotto spams have morphed in to phishing
scams. These state that you have won the lottery and that they need you
name, address and bank account details so that the money can be transferred
electronically from a security company direct in to your bank account!
Any lotto scams from the UK get reported to the Metropolitan Police Fraud Unit at
fraud.alert@met.police.uk
As the Police confirmed:
For your information, I have asked for
this account/site to be closed.
However whilst it appears that 'the fraudsters' are in London/UK they
rarely
are. They use the veneer of London/UK to add kudos to their Scams. The
fraudsters
use technology to hide their true whereabouts and identity. All
information
they have provided about themselves will likely be false.
Payment systems such as Western Union are used because it means there is
no
fixed location for the individual, and the money can/will be collected
anywhere in
the world using false identification. Even if the money is collected in
the UK,
it will be sent out again within minutes. The large number of Western
Union /
Money Gram outlets causes a problem. There are over a thousand in London
alone.
The telephone numbers used are normally Platform numbers (Number starting with
070 or from international call's 004470) These numbers are set up via
the
Internet with various providers and unfortunately can be answered,
again, anywhere
in the world. The details given re setting up these account are, of
course,
again false.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
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As of May 2008, the amount of
money that I had been offered by these scammers increased to a total of:
$24,044,017,937.05
that's over "TWENTY FOUR
BILLION US DOLLARS".
As well as these 'unmarked bundles of cash', I
have also won or been offered:
Honda FR-V car
VW Beetle car
Mercedes CLK Cabrio car
House in Spain
Magnificent diamond
Once a scam is up and running, it doesn't
take a particularly bright spammer to jump on to the lotto-scam bandwagon. In
most cases all that the spammer changes is the bogus 'contact name' along
with the telephone or FAX number that they are using for the scam. You
often see the same 'name' appearing in lotto scams, but with different contact
details being used. It usually means a scammer has jumped on the spam e-mail
bandwagon, but isn't clever enough to create their own 419 scam e-mail.
The typical lotto scam e-mail. Notice that
the header e-mail addresses are all either bogus or misleading. Why would
the 'British Lottery' be using e-mail addresses on msn.com? Surely they
would have their own domain name? Why is the 'British Lottery' quoting a
'head office' address in Fulham [FRATON ROAD actually doesn't exist - it's
bogus!]. If it's a 'British Lottery', why is the
e-mail from the 'AFRO-ASIAN Zonal Coordinator'? What are 'Pounds Sterlling',
and where is 'Great Britian'? This version is slightly unusual in that it
uses an e-mail as the contact point for the scammer.
X-Originating-IP: [65.54.249.79]
Return-Path: <mrsteresacole@msn.com>
X-Originating-Email:
mrsteresacole@msn.com
X-Sender:
mrsteresacole@msn.com
From: "CONGRATULATIONS!!! BRITISH LOTTERY HQ." <mrsteresacole@msn.com>
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION.
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 17:59:38 +0100
Return-Path:
mrsteresacole@msn.com
BRITISH LOTTERY
14 FRATON ROAD, FULHAM, LONDON
Ref: EAASL/941OYI/02/SHYN
Batch: 12/25/0034
WINNING NOTIFICATION
Dear Mr/Mrs/Sir/Madam:
We happily announce to you the draw of the British Lottery International programs held on the 12th of November 2005 in London. Your e-mail addressattached to ticket number:564 75600545 188 with Serial number 5388/02 drewthe lucky numbers: 31-6-26-13-35-7, which subsequently won you the lottery
in the 2nd category. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sumof £ 500,000.00GBP (Five Hundred Thousand Great Britian Pounds Sterlling) in cash credited to file KPC/9080118308/02/SHYN. This is from a total cash prize of £10.000,000.00GBP shared amongst the first Twenty (20) lucky winners in this category.
All participants were selected randomly from 'World Wide Web' site through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies. This promotion takes place annually. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is a part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements.Note that all claims process and clearance procedures must be duly completed
early to avoid impersonation arising to the issue of double claim. To avoidunnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference/batch numbersin any correspondences with us or our designated agent in the 2nd category,you are advised to keep this notice to yourself because we shall not be responsible for any divert of funds as a result of you disclosing your lottery award details,I hereby advice you to report to
britishlottery_claimsdept@yahoo.co.uk within 24hours of reading this mail.
Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Teresa Cole
AFRO-ASIAN Zonal Coordinator.
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This is one of the very common lotto spams
that comes from the Netherlands. The header e-mail addresses are all either
bogus or misleading. Although it includes an e-mail as the contact point for
the scammer [although it's one based in Germany con_fin_secu@yahoo.de],
the depends more on the quoted phone and FAX numbers being used by the
sucker who has been hooked.
Return-Path: <worldwidelotto3@hotmail.com>
X-Originating-Email:
worldwidelotto3@hotmail.com
X-Sender:
worldwidelotto3@hotmail.com
From: "World Wide Lotto" <worldwidelotto3@hotmail.com>
Subject: WINNER!!!
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 01:41:36 +0000
WORLDWIDE LOTTERY PROMOTIONS THE NETHERLANDS
FROM:THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
NATIONWIDE LOTTERY PRIMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
Ref. Number:YQP/44604/RTL
Batch Number:44/32261/997JH
ATTENTION.
Sir/ Ma/ Miss,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of thewinners of the Nationwide Lottery Promotionsprograms held on 8th Jan,2006.Your e-mailaddress attached to ticket number 111---0641752--888with serial number 5517--55 drew lucky numbers 0-12-16-35-15-13 which consequently won in thecategory A.You have therefore been approved for a lumpsum pay of US $1.200,000.00(one million two hundred
thousand United States Dollars)in cash credited to
file Ref. Number:YQP/44306/RTL.This is from a total
cash prize of US $16.800,000.00usd
international winners in this category.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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 money remitted
to you.This is part of our security protocol to avoid
double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program
by some participants.
All participants were selected through a computer
ballot system drawn from over 20,000 company and
30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from
all over the world.This promotional program takes
place every three years in different developed
countries,the lottery was promoted and sponsored by the
president of
the world largest softwares
to increase the awareness of microsoft software
packages.We hope with part of your winning you will
take part in our next USD 40 million
international lottery.
To file for your claim please contact our financial
agent MIKE BAKER, Foreign Operations Manager of the
Consolidated Trust Security Services Holland{netherlands}with
your
tel/fax numbers and a copy of your ID for age verification,
telephone and fax numbers.8.00 am to18.00 gmt
TEL: 31-612-937-598
FAX: 31-84 744 5694
Email; con_fin_secu@yahoo.de
Remember all winning must be claimed not later than
9th Feb, 2006. After this date all unclaimed
funds will be included in the next stake. Please note
in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications
please remember to quote your reference number and
batch numbers in all correspondence. Furthermore,
should there be any change of address do inform our
agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more and thank you for being part of our promotional
program.Note:Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Sincerely yours,
Sandra Van Bommel.
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This variant of the lotto scam also proves to be
a 'phishing' version. Once again a supposedly reputable lottery company is
actually a spammer using disposable e-mail addresses at msn.com and hotmail.co.uk
Return-Path: <grandpremiumlotto@msn.com>
X-Originating-Email:
grandpremiumlotto@msn.com
X-Sender:
grandpremiumlotto@msn.com
Reply-to:
grandpremiumlotto@hotmail.co.uk
From: "Grand Premium lotto" <grandpremiumlotto@msn.com>
Subject: OFFICAIL WINING NOTIFICATION..........
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2005 09:19:45 +0000
Return-Path:
grandpremiumlotto@msn.com
GRAND PRIMUS GROUP INTERNATIONAl
Due Processing Division (DPD)
lottery office complex
Trafford, London.
FILE REF NO: 07- 321786542
FAST NO: 2912144
LOTTO REF: GPL/0507/FAST
Dear Consolation Prize Winner,
This email confirms that you have received from the GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO
GROUP INTERNATIONAL an official notification of your lotto winning in the GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTION TICKET GAME (G.P.A.S.T) played on July 1, 2005 at our lottery office complex Trafford, London.
You have won a GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO PRIZE OF $ 500,000 USD, a prize payout of your winning has been approved by the GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO GROUP. In ccordance with the United Kingdom lottery ordinance, you are authorized as the lotto prize winner to request claims of your winning prize.
The GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTION TICKET (G.P.A.S.T) GAME is an online promotional program organized by the GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO GROUP
INTERNATIONAL. A total of 500,000 different email addresses are entered
for the GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTION TICKET GAME (G.P.A.S.T).
All email addresses entered for the game are submitted by our partner
international email service providers/ marketing companies and public
services providers. Winners are randomly selected systematically through our Electronic Random Selection System (ERSS). Your email ID was included among the 500,000 email addresses and entered for Batch 16125 with Ticket No. 2912144 and was luckily selected among 1-5 batch winners.
Note that the GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO GROUP INTERNATIONAL will remit prize payout to only winners who officially file in for their prize claims. You are
to choose one out of the listed option by which you want your prize
remitted to you:
(1) A certified Cheque will be issued in your name and couriered to your
resident address.
(2) Traveling to our office in London for personal collection of winning
prize. You are required to file your claims by contacting the OFFICE of
Due Processing Division.
Completely fill out the Claim Form - E provided herein and submit a
completed filled form via email or send the information needed to the Due
Processing Division.
Your winning information has been provided above.
===========================================================================
APPLICATION FOR PRIZE CLAIM FORM - E (Receipt Official Notification Letter)
[FILE REF 07- 21786542]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FULL NAME OF
WINNER]...................................................
[RESIDENT
ADDRESS]......................................................
[COUNTRY/ REGION]..................
[STATE].............................
[DATE OF BIRTH]...../...../......... [SEX]..........
[OCCUPATION]........................
[CURRENT EMAIL].....................
[TEL/FAX]...........................
===========================================================================
WINNING INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FAST TICKET NR]........................
[LOTTERY REF NR]................ [DATE]..................................
===========================================================================
CLAIMANT SIGNATORY DECLARATION.
I ..................................... Declare as the lotto prize winner
that all information I have provided for my winning claims are true and
correct information of myself. I agree with the GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO GROUP
INTERNATIONAL lottery policy and regulation in line with my lottery
claims.
===========================================================================
Please indicate "X" for the option you want your prize remitted to you.
Listed below is our payment modalities and option of payment.
(1) TRAVELLING TO THE UK FOR PRIZE COLLECTION:[…………]
(2) BY COURIER DELIVERY OF YOUR PRIZE CHEQUE: […………]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS EMAIL WAS SENT FROM THE DESK OF THE ORGANIZATION PRESIDENT GRAND PRIMUS LOTTO GROUP INTERNATIONAL, ON BEHALF OF G.P.A.S.T GAMES 2005.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WINNING.
SINCERELY,
ROBERT A. V. BENARD,
GROUP PRESIDENT - GPL
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As with the 419 spams, I forwarded the
lotto scams I received on to the other scammers who had spammed me with
lotto scams.
The incestuous relationship between lotto
spams, or the laziness of spammers by copying others?
Taking the lotto spamvertised 'fiduciary
agent' contact phone number 34-691961385 - this was quoted for lotto scams
for ONCE PROMO 2007, Once Loteria Espanol 2007, Euromillion
Loteria Espanol 2007 and EURO-MILLONES INTERNATIONAL AWARD.
This last one has a agent of Fredridk Walter. However, the next
EURO-MILLONES INTERNATIONAL AWARD scam has the agent as Fredrick
Walter, who appears as the agent for the British Web Lottery,
based in 28 Tanfield Road, Croydon, Surrey. The same address is used
by the British Lottery International and the Honda Car
International Promotion Program. This uses an agent working for the
Honda Claiming security Agency. This agency also quotes a contact
address of 205 Franz Straat, Amsterdam, Netherlands, which is used by
the Havanna Sweepstake Lottery, but that uses the address of 2834
Reimbrandtsplien, Amsterdam, Netherlands. This address is used by the
Luckyday Lottery International, who in turn quote an address at W.
Gurundersttaat, 1106WC, Amsterdam, Netherlands.................
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