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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: euromilliona@handbag.com
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2005 14:24:35 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATION!
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
MICROSOFT E-MAIL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
BATCH NO: 2424215/026/037
REF. NO: 5875472/043/0085
WINNING NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
This is to inform you of the release of the E-MAIL LOTTERY BALLOT
INTERNATIONAL/ WORLD GAMING BOARD held on the 8th of jun.2005.
Your name attached to ticket number 4556462 with serial number 7152275
Drew the lucky numbers of 88-22-45-56-98, which consequently won the
lottery in the first category.
You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of
950,000.00euros only in cash which is deposited with a Finance &
Security Company in your favour as beneficiary and covered with HIGH
INSURANCE POLICY.
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 draw
from only Microsoft users from over 60,000.00 companies and 700,000,000
individual email addresses and names from all over the world.
To begin your lottery claim, please contact our agents below that have
Been appointed for the processing of your claim with your contact
telephone and fax number to begin the processing of your payment.
CONTACT NAME: ALEX NEWMAN
CITY/ COUNTRY: DUSSELDORF:GERMANY.
TELEPHONE: 00152-058-287-33
EMAIL: europagent@netscape.net
Note that all winning must be claimed not later than 5th of jul-2005
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 from our members of staff and thank you for
Being part of our promotional program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Yours Sincerely,
MrS. ALEX NEWMAN


___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
Cheap flights - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/flights/
Bargain holidays - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/holidays/





___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
Cheap flights - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/flights/
Bargain holidays - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/holidays/



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