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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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "British Lottery" <britishlottery172@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:51:57 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

U.K National Lottery On-Line

The National Lottery Logo


The Marina Offices,
The UK National Lottery
P O Box 1010
Liverpool, L70 1NL
UNITED KINGDOM
(Customer Services)
Ref: BTL/4910X1/04
Batch: 12/25/0304
 
 
                        WINNING NOTIFICATION 

We happily announce to you the draw (#988)  UK NATIONAL LOTTERY,online
Sweepstakes International programs held on the 9th of October  2005 .
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 564 75600545-188 with serial
number 5388/02 drew the lucky numbers: 31-6-26-13-35-7,which subsequently
 won you the lottery in the 2nd category.
 
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$250,000,00
(Two hundred and fifty thousand, United States Dollars) in cash credited to
file RPC/9080118308/04 made available from a total cash prize of US $1 Million
dollars, shared amongst the first Five (5) lucky winners in this category.
This years Lottery Program Jackpot is the largest ever for Uk National Lottery.
The estimated $1 million jackpot would be the sixth-biggest in U.K. history. The
biggest was the $36 million jackpot that went to two winners in a May 2000 draw
of The Big Game, Mega Millions' predecessor.
 
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our booklet representative
office in Europe as indicated in our play coupon. In view of this, your US$250,000.00
(Two hundred and fifty thousand, United States Dollars) would be released
to you in any of our bank branch in Europe  . Our agent will immediately commence
the facilitation of release of funds to you as soon as you establish contact. All
participants were selected randomly from world wide web sites through a computer
drawn system and extracted from over 100,000 companies. This promotion takes
place annually.
 
This is part of precautionary measures to avoid double claiming and unwarranted
abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. Please be warned. To file
for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent with the below details for
processing of your claims.
 
CLAIMS AGENT:MR LARRY BISHOP 
TEL:+447031966072      
Email:claimsagent2005@uk2.net 

 
 
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference/batch
numbers in any correspondences with our designated agent. Congratulations once
more from all members and staff of this program.
 
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.
Sincerely,
 
Robert Stella
Zonal Coordinator.
                                   
The National Lottery Logo                                                           
You must be 16 or over to play or 
claim a prize

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