Protect Yourself and Report the Latest Frauds, Scams, Spams, Fakes, Identify Theft Hacks and Hoaxes
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Below is an actual scam reply email purporting to be from the "Euro Continental Lottery". The would be victim, responded to the first email, then received this one, which says they can not receive their "winnings" until they pay the tax. Hmmm, so now you would have to be wealthy to win a lottery... because (according to the scammers), the taxes are due BEFORE you win the money. What a scam!
In addition to the usual clues, notice the gibberish writing. The sentences don't even make sense. Hardly what a professional (i.e., real) lottery would do. Note the other clues to an obvious fraud that we have highlighted in the letter; keep confidential, selected by a random computer lottery of email addresses, use of free hotmail/yahoo email accounts, etc.
Also see these pages:
For scam company names that start with other letters, click on the letter:
A B C D E F G H I J-K L M N O P Q-R S T U-V W-X-Y-Z
19/01/07 Fax : 00 34 658 316 483 EURO CONTINENTAL SECURITIES Page 1/1
MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA Y HACIENDA
OFFICINA DE GOBIERNO
C/MISERICORDIA 23, MANZANARES 28082
MADRID, SPAIN
TEL/EFAX : +34 695 420 314
Director,
Foreign Remittances and Operations,
Banco Banesto(Credit Bank)
Madrid,Spain ref:MHE/ELI/005978/C3/1452
January 19,2007
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT STOP ORDER 48.011C
We refer to your application reference number ELI/3551/003/06S and the subsequent APPROVAL for the International Payment Clearance (IPC )of the EURO CONTINENTAL LOTTERY won fund of 815,810.00euros (eight hundred and fifteen ,eight hundred and ten euros only)already approved in favour of Simong Siev of 44 Noutilus Road, South,Australia,Australia..
After due verifications, we are dismayed to notice the absence of Value Added Tax Payment Receipt for Non European Residents in the file of the beneficiary.
In compliance with Act 93 section5 pp1-5of the 20th December,1991 of Lottery Payment Regulations,it is here by directed that release of the IRREVOCABLE BANK DRAFT in favour of Simong Siev be stopped immediately pending the compliance of the beneficiary with the payment which in her category is 2,871.00 AUD
The Director Foreign Operations is hereby further directed to release the Bank Draft immediately to the Courier Agency for immediate delivery to the beneficiary on presentation of the receipt of payment of Value Added Tax for Non European Residents which in this category is 2,871.00 AUD only(two thousand, eight hundred and seventy one dollars ONLY) in accordance with the Royal Decree 1816/1991 ;Lotteries Commission Act 93 section5 pp1-5of the 20th December,1991.
Thank you for your understanding
Don Manuel Fernandez
DeputyDirector General
The recipient "won" without buying a ticket (so where does the money come from?)
"For security reasons" you're not allowed to talk to anyone about it (especially the police or consumerfraudreporting.org!) - which ought to be odd since lotteries thrive on publicity!
Click here for the huge list of the names of the currently identified lottery scams companies
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