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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.

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Fraud email example:

From: "MRS. SOPHIA HALENDALE" <sophina@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: freelottointer@netscape.net
Date: Fri, 6 May 2005 13:09:36 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATION!!!


THE FREE LOTTO INTERNATIONAL.
GRUNDER 107
2340 VC MIJTENSTAAT,
DEN-HAAG
THE NETHERLANDS.
www.freelotto.com

FROM: THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

THE FREE LOTTO INTERNATIONAL: WINNING FINAL NOTIFICATION.CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We are please to announce you as one of the 10 lucky winners in the Free Lotto draw held on the 6th May, 2005. All 10 winning addresses were
randomly selected from a batch of 50,000,000 international emails. Your email address emerged alongside 9 others as a category 2 winner in this
year's Annual Free Lotto Draw.

Consequently, you have therefore been approved for a total pay out of $1,000,000 US DOLLARS (One Million United States Dollars) only. In order to avoid
unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers:

Ticket Number: 1754206587 BATCH: 4279/NL he file Ref Number: 232/656/FLC Lucky Numbers 8-16-18-23-31-11
Lotto code number: FLCH1109 Please contact the under-listed claims officer as soon as possible for the immediate release of your winnings:

MR. Barry Hook
Tel: +31-612-283-855
Fax: +31-847-300-405
Email: freelottointer@netscape.net
DEN-HAAG, THE NETHERLANDS.

Please be informed that NON RESIDENCE of THE NETHERLANDS will be required to make a NON DEDUCTABLE advance payment of processment and legal documentation charges of (€998.10 Cent) Nine Hundred And Ninety Eight Euro Ten Cent, to enable our legal department acquire Notorisation papers from the Court prior to award payment policy as required by the paying Securiry Company. Please be aware that your Paying Authority will Effect Payment Swiftly upon satisfactory Report, Verifications and validation provided by our Processing Agent; that would be designated to your file. For due processment and remittance of your winning prize to your designated account of your choice. Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 20th of May 2005. After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference.And batch numbers in every one of your correspondences with your agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once again from our team of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is AUTOMATICALY DISQUALIFIED.

And batch numbers in every one of your correspondences with your agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once again from our team of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is AUTOMATICALYDISQUALIFIED.
Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Sophia Halendale
Promotions Manager
The Lotto Company
Netherlands & Europe.



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