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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: "CONTINENTAL LOTTERIES ,S.A." <nnent@zwallet.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2005 16:24:39 +0200
Subject: You have won!

THE PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT
CONTINENTAL LOTTERIES S.A.
C/O´DONNELL 306,
28830 MADRID
SPAIN.
Ref: CL/ES/1026-9172
Batch: 31-2404/05

18-05-2005.

WINNING NOTIFICATION.

Congratulations first category prize winner! You have been selected as one of six winners of the Worldwide Continental Lotteries, Madrid-Spain, online ballot, drawn for April 2005, therefore will be a privileged receiver of the grand prize of €531,220.17 (FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY ONE THOUSAND,TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY EUROS, SEVEVTEEN CENTS ONLY).Your e-mail address was attached to the winning number 5-11-14-20-31-45. Draw serial: 055. This lottery is promoted and sponsored by multinationals companies of the european union. We in the Worldwide Continental Lotteries, Spain is by this program, diversifying our online balloting lotteries draws, developed and designed to satisfy the cravings of the ever growing number of participants in our various programs. With funds accrued from previous draws and unclaimed prizes, payouts to all winners is guaranteed and payments in a record time.
After randomly selecting 25,000 participants from an initial database of
4.500.000 emails and zonings, by their respective continents from across
the World, we produced an extensive list from which you have emerged as
one of the lucky winners of the Grand Draw prize.
To process your winnings and prize payment, you are to get in contact
with;
Mr. JORGE DIAZ (Prize claims handler)
e-mail: diazge@yahoo.es
Tel: +34 62 8091594

You are advised to keep your winning informations confidential untill your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you prefer. This is in line with our security policies, to avoid double claims and misapropriations of the Lottery funds as it has happened in the past.
Direct all further communications and enquiries to your category
prize claim handler and remember to include your reference and batch numbers.
Congratulations once again from Continental Lotteries. Thank you for being part of our promotional program.

NOTE: Do not reply to this mail address, contact your claim handler.

Sincerely,

JAVIER OCHOA SUAREZ
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE COORDINATOR



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