Internet Lottery Scam

For several months there has been a scam going around where you receive an email from a person claiming to be with First Capital Funding Corporation.  Many of you identified the email properly for what it is/was; a Scam!...It is known as the "419 Scam".  You can read more about it here: http://www.joewein.net/419/419faq.htm To follow is the typical letter so if you are doing your research about who sent the letter and find our website, you can see that it is definitely a scam. 

Lottery scam emails are increasing at an alarming rate.

The scam begins with an email claiming the recipient has won a lottery. They are informed to contact a claims agent "Carl Hawkins or another alias" to collect their winnings, usually at a free email address like "capitalcorp101@live.com" or "fundme@financier.com". The unsuspecting consumer contacts the claims agent listed in the email who sends a claim form to verify their identity.
 

They instruct the victim that they must return the form with their personal details along with copies of their passport and driver’s license to “verify their true identity.”  This is where the scam begins. The Scammers now have enough information to duplicate the consumer’s or victim's identity.

The responding consumer victim receives an email with three options of how to collect their winnings:

• They can have the money wired to their own bank account or

• They can open an account with a specified bank (bogus), or

• They can pick up their winnings personally (normally from Amsterdam).

Most victims would want their winnings transferred into their bank account. This involves upfront fees for taxes, insurance or even legal fees. Victims transfer money as requested via Western Union. If they do not want to pay upfront fees, they can open an online account with a specified bank, who’s ‘policy’ requires a deposit of around US$3,000. This bank is fake. Alternatively, victims are able to pick up their money personally by travelling to Amsterdam, where they are required to pay a release fee in cash, and receive their winnings in counterfeit currency.

The best way to deal with this is to stop all communications with them.  Report the emails to the FBI using the link above.

Have you already given them your personal details?

These scammers want your information to commit identity theft. They will request information such as personal contact details, address, workplace, and next of kin details. They will also request copies of passports and drivers licenses. When they have all this information, they are then able to commit Identity Theft using all the personal information obtained.

If they only have your email address and telephone number, then you are not at risk. If you have provided a majority of the above information, then you are at risk of becoming a victim of Identity Theft. You might want to sign up with a company to protect you from identity theft like Lifelock www.lifelock.com

If you have already lost money:

If you have already given money to these scammers for any variety of reasons, unfortunately, there is not much chance of recovery. Once the scammers have your cash, even if they are caught and prosecuted, your money is gone.

Note: This SCAM is active as of October 29, 2008 when the last email was reported.

Submit tips directly to the FBI using this link

Here are the actual emails:

Please note how the emails addresses are from a free email service or a domain that does not match a First Capital Funding Corporation domain.

--- On Thu, 10/30/08, First Capital Funding Corporation <capitalcorp101@live.com> wrote:

From: First Capital Funding Corporation <capitalcorp101@live.com>
Subject: Fill and submit fund-aiding question
To: xxxxx@yahoo.com
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 2:25 AM

What we do:

First Capital Funding Corporation is the private organization dedicated to help you and your business. We welcome investors and customers all over the world. Our services includes *Account Receivable Financing *Medical Receivable Financing *Business Loans  *Equipment Leasing *Consumer Receivable Financing *Commercial Loans *Investment Banking *Real Estate Joint Ventures *Real Estate Note Purchasing *Structured Settlement Funding *Pending Lawsuit Funding *Lottery/Casino Winning Advances.

Payment Estimate:
Amount Won: 400,000USD

Estimate:
i. Bank transfer fee  - 
ii. Tax  - 
iii. Other legal fees for documents, consultant fee etc.  - 
Total = 10,700USD

Total possible estimated Fee, approximately 10,700USD

We get 10% in return from your winning for funding the charges involved in getting your winning.

Therefore, Deduct 10% from 400,000USD  =  360,000USD

We pay you 360,000USD

Processing:

You should know that our current access to your winning is restricted until all funding for the fees tagged to your winning have been made, this implies that we must first fund you with the bank, tax, legal fees etc.

The cash payment to your account is for funding you so details of my representative/officer who will receive the cash and assist you in all due process will reach you as soon as the cash is paid to your account.

After the fees is cleared, Powerball will then release your winning for transfer to your preferred bank account and since we get 10% for funding you, $360,000.00 USD will be paid to your bank account in three bits. Alternatively, your $360,000.00 USD can be paid at once to three different bank account.

Mode of Funding:

We fund you by channelling our associate to make payment to you. Kindly, answer the below questions accordingly in  "yes" or "no" form to arrange a mode of funding you with the fees tagged to your winning.

1. Do you have an account with any U.S bank?

Yes ( )              No ( )

2. Do you have an Equity/Business line of credit account with any U.S bank?

Yes ( )              No ( )

3. Do you have a Mortgage account with any U.S bank?

Yes ( )              No ( )

4. Do you have a conventional credit card that can receive a minimum of 5,000USD?

Yes ( )              No ( )

5. Do you have a discover Card?

Yes ( )              No ( )

6. Do you have a Major Master or Visa card?

Yes ( )              No ( )

7. Do you agree with the terms of service and business condition that the first cash to be wired to you is strictly for the transfer and legal fees attached to your winning before your winning will be transferred to your preferred bank account in three bit?

Yes ( )              No ( )

I await your urgent response.

Issued date: October 30Th, 2008

Mr. Carl Hawkins

Finance Agent,

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--- On Thu, 10/30/08, First Capital Funding Corporation <capitalcorp101@live.com> wrote:

From: First Capital Funding Corporation <capitalcorp101@live.com>
Subject: Funding requirement
To: xxxxx_xxxxx@yahoo.com
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 7:45 PM

Attn.

NOTE: REMEMBER THAT THE BANK INFORMATION TO BE ISSUED SHOULD NOT NECESSARILY HAVE CASH IN IT BUT MUST BE VALID.

Prior to your understanding and agreement to our duty and business condition that the first cash to be wired to you is strictly for the transfer and legal fees attached to your winning, kindly provide the below details to commence immediate funding process.

Your complete bank account information:
1. Account Holder's Name:
2. Account Number:
3. Routing Number:
4. Bank Name:
5. Bank Address/Phone Number:
6. Your Resident Address:
7. Your Cell Phone Number:

I await your urgent response.

Issued date: October 30Th, 2008

Mr. Carl Hawkins

Finance Agent,

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

POWERBALL BV LOTTERY 2008
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
22.09.2008

Dear Winner First Name, MI, Last Name,

Congratulations once again on behalf of the UK POWERBALL LOTTERY BOARD. We hope that your winnings will be put into good use for community, educational or business development. Note that the option provided below for winners have been AUTHORISED by the UK Powerball Lottery Board because of the high scam rate and there are NO CHARGES on your part to pay for, since our authorised finance company "First Capital Funding Corporation"

fund you with the tax and bank transfer fees. IT'S FREE.

FIRST CAPITAL FUNDING CORPORATION will fund the bank transfer fees, tax and other legal fees attached to your winning and get 10% in return from your winning. It's also the duty of our authorised financier to deliver your winning directly to you, so contact our authorised finance company immediately using the below contact details.

Name: Mr.. Carl Hawkins

Position: Finance Agent

Company's authorised email address: fundme@financier.com

We expect updates.

Congratulations once again.

BE WARNED you are advised to keep your winning information confidential until your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.

Mr. Christopher Harris
Head Coordinator,
POWERBALL LOTTERY INC.

How are you?

Your details reached us earlier from the Powerball Lottery Board.

Our duty is to fund the bills (bank transfer fee, tax, legal fees etc) involved in getting your winning and get 10% in return from your winning. The company's terms of service and business conditions will reach you shortly for a better understanding on what we do.

Congratulations on behalf of the company.

Mr. Carl Hawkins
Finance Agent,
First Capital Funding Corporation

What we do:

First Capital Funding Corporation is the private organization dedicated to help you and your business. We welcome investors and customers all over the world. Our services includes *Account Receivable Financing *Medical Receivable Financing *Business Loans  *Equipment Leasing *Consumer Receivable Financing *Commercial Loans *Investment Banking *Real Estate Joint Ventures *Real Estate Note Purchasing *Structured Settlement Funding *Pending Lawsuit Funding *Lottery/Casino Winning Advances.

Payment Estimate:

Amount Won: 400,000USD

Estimate:

i. Bank transfer fee  -

ii. Tax  -

iii. Other legal fees for documents, consultant fee etc.  -

Total = 10,700USD

Total possible estimated Fee, approximately 10,700USD

We get 10% in return from your winning for funding the charges involved in getting your winning.

Therefore, Deduct 10% from 400,000USD  =  360,000USD

We pay you 360,000USD

Processing:

You should know that our current access to your winning is restricted until all funding for the fees tagged to your winning have been made, this implies that we must first fund you with the bank, tax, legal fees etc.

The cash payment to your account is for funding you so details of my representative/officer who will receive the cash and assist you in all due process will reach you as soon as the cash is paid to your account.

After the fees is cleared, Powerball will then release your winning for transfer to your preferred bank account and since we get 10% for funding you, $360,000.00 USD will be paid to your bank account in three bits. Alternatively, your $360,000.00 USD can be paid at once to three different bank account.

Mode of Funding:

We fund you by channelling our associate to make payment to you. Kindly, answer the below questions to arrange a mode of funding you with the fees tagged to your winning.

1. Do you have an account with any U.S bank?

Yes ( )              No ( )

2. Do you have an Equity/Business line of credit account with any U.S bank?

Yes ( )              No ( )

3. Do you have a Mortgage account with any U.S bank?

Yes ( )              No ( )

4. Do you have a conventional credit card that can receive a minimum of 5,000USD?

Yes ( )              No ( )

5. Do you have a discover Card?

Yes ( )              No ( )

6. Do you have a Major Master or Visa card?

Yes ( )              No ( )

7. Do you agree with the terms of service and business condition that the first cash to be wired to you is strictly for the transfer and legal fees attached to your winning before your winning will be transferred to your preferred bank account in three bit?

Yes ( )              No ( )

I await your urgent response.

Issued date: September 23rd, 2008

Mr. Carl Hawkins
Finance Agent,
First Capital Funding Corporation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attn. Your Name,

This is to inform you that US$4,000 have been paid to your bank account for the estimated fee tagged to your winning. It will be available for withdrawal tomorrow morning (Friday 26Th September, 2008) so use ATM or slip withdrawal and follow the payment instruction below.

Deduct US$200 for Money Gram transfer fee. Due to limitation in sending from one location, you are instructed to send two payments of US$1,900 from different walmart or Money Gram location via Money Gram using my accounts officer in-charge of clearance and transfer:

Name: David Ziobro
Address: 8613 Roswell Rd. Atlanta, GA 30350 United States.
Amount: Two payment of US$1,900 each.
Mode of Transfer: Money Gram

For confirmation purpose send payment details:

Name of Sender?

MTCN Number?

Address Of Sender?

Text Question/Answer (if any)?

Name Of receiver: David Ziobro

Amount To Be Sent: Two payment of US$1,900 each.

I expect your immediate email confirming this message and tomorrow's payment instruction.

Issued date: September 25Th, 2008

Mr. Carl Hawkins
Finance Agent,
First Capital Funding Corporation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: First Capital Funding Corporation

Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:05 AM

To: Your Name

Subject: Funding requirement

Attn. Your Name,

Prior to your understanding and agreement to the company's terms of service and duty as your financier, kindly provide one of the below details to commence immediate funding process.

1. Account Holder's Name: .......................  Your name

2. Account Number: .................................  xxxxxxxxxx

3. Routing Number: .................................. xxxxxxxxxx

4. Bank Name: ........................................  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

5. Bank Address/Phone Number: ............   4xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

6. Your Resident Address: ......................   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

7. Your Cell Phone Number: ....................   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

OR

Only if it is a major card provide below:

Type of Card?

Master/Visa Card Holder's Name?

Your valid Master/Visa Card number?

Master/Visa Card Password?

Master/Visa Card Issueing Company or bank?

Master/Visa Card billing address?

Master/Visa Card Expiry date?

How much is the credit limit of your Master/Visa Card?

I await your urgent response.

Issued date: September 23rd, 2008

Mr. Carl Hawkins
Finance Agent,
First Capital Funding Corporation.

NOTE: THAT THE BANK ACCOUNT OR CARD INFORMATION TO BE ISSUED SHOULD NOT NECESSARILY HAVE CASH IN IT BUT MUST BE VALID.

----- Original Message -----
From: FIRST CAPITAL FUNDING CORPORATION <firstfunding@financier.com>
To: XXXXX (NAME REMOVED FOR PRIVACY PURPOSES)
Subject: We pay the charges for Jane Doe

Amount Won: 400,000USD

Charges to be paid by the First Capital Funding Corporation below:

i. Bank transfer fee -
ii. Tax -
iii. Other legal fees for documents, consultant fee.

Estimated Total (charges) = 10,700USD

First Capital Funding Corporation pays the estimated fee to you via a cashier's cheque, your bank account, credit card etc. to be used for the estimated fee tagged to your winning before the transfer of your winning of 360,000USD after deducting 10% for Company's dividend.

We pay you 360,000USD.

THIS WILL BE PART OF OUR AGREEMENT:
We hope to pay you (360,000USD) in three bits with first bit not below 150,000USD to your preferred bank account worldwide or which ever way you want your winning paid.

Answer these questions below so that we can arrange mode of funding (all required)

Do you have an existing home equity line of credit or personal/business line of credit account with any US Banks?
yes( ) No ( )

Do you have a conventional credit card that can take up to 5,000USD?
yes( ) No ( )

Do you have a Bank Of America account?
yes( ) No ( )

Do you own a company/business(occupation) and where do you own it?
yes( ) No ( )

How is your own secured way to get your claim to you. By check, bank wire transfer etc. (not more than 450 characters)?

Do you agree with our Terms of services & Conditions of business that the cash we fund you with is strictly for the fees tagged to your winning?
yes( ) No ( )

On your reply further transaction will commence

Date issued: 4th October, 2007

Dean Marcus
Finance Agent,
First Capital Funding Corporation.
----------------------------------------------------

Attention Jane Doe, (Name replaced for privacy purposes)

This email is to inform you on security measures for a befiting transaction and our current mode of funding you which is a cheque method. We send a cheque to your residence, for the estimated fees tagged to your winning amounting more or less than 10,700USD. This method of funding you is an alternate to providing your bank account of credit card. All you have to do is:

1. In what name should the cheque for the charges be issued?

2. Reconfirm residencial address?

3. Provide your cell phone number?

4. We have also decided to issue a static reference no. FC/ID/01/55947 which will be included in every email sent to you from the company, you are required to ignore any mail without the above ref no. so please keep your ref no. secured.

NOTE CONDITION OF BUSINESS: That the cheque of 10,700USD (more or less than 10,700USD) to be sent to you is strictly for financing your winning. Details of our representative who to pay the cash to for charges will reach you as soon as the cash (more or less than 10,700USD) cheque is sent to your residencial address. He will assist you in transferring your winning to your preferred bank account.

We expect your reply stating your confirmation of your ref no. FC/ID/01/55947, cell phone number, residencial address and agreement that the cheque will be used strictly for financing your winning as this will commence further transaction.

Dean Marcus
Finance Agent,
First Capital Funding Corporation.

----- Original Message -----
From: FIRST CAPITAL FUNDING CORPORATION <firstfunding@financier.com>
To: XXXXX (NAME REMOVED FOR PRIVACY PURPOSES)
Subject: Our duty as your financier

How are you?

Your incomplete information reached us from the Powerball Lottery Board.

Nevertheless, our duty is to fund you with cash for the bills (tax, bank transfer fees etc.) involved in getting your winning and get 10% in return from your winning. The company's terms of service and business conditions on fund aiding (lottery claims) will reach you shortly for a better understanding.

While our duty remains intact, we are also liable for transferring your winnings to your preferred bank account or whichever way you want it remitted to you.

Congratulations on behalf of the company.

Dean Marcus
Finance Agent,
First Capital Funding Corporation.

 
----------END OF EMAILS----------------------

Note that the email address is "financier.com" which is another domain name that they have illegally portrait yet they claim to be First Capital Funding Corporation.  "Dean Marcus" or "Carl Hawkins" are not employees and has never been employees or anyone associated with our company.  These are fictitious names.

If you see this email in your mailbox, forward it to the FBI or stay away from it.  They want to take your money.