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

Fraud email example:

From: "STAR LIGHT BV INTERNATIONAL." <starlightbv@msn.com>
Reply-To: haraldcontact03@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 16:02:51 +0000
Subject: NOTIFICATION WINNING




STAR LIGHT BV LOTTERY 
Blenheim Tower Westerdoksdijk
40 1013 AE Amsterdam,
ARMSTERDAM,NETHERLANDS
Lottery Promotion
Customer Service
Ref:SLT/4080318306/04
Batch: 074/05/ZY369
 
WINNING NOTIFICATION.
We are officially informing you of the result of  STAR LIGHT BV Lottery International programs held as part of our promotional programs for the year 2005 in ARMSTERDAM,NETHERLANDS.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number:5368/02 with Serial number:56475600545 188 drew the lucky numbers: 19-6-26-17-35-7, which subsequently won you the lottery in the 3rd category.You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Euros in cash credited to file ktu/9023118308/03.
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Your funds have now been deposited and insured through our security firm for transfer to your chosen destination in cash. We also advice that you keep your winning information very confidential as our security policy demands to avoid double claims/impersonation and
unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous individuals.
The selection process was carried out through random selection in our computerized email selection system (ESS) from a database of over 500,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world. This promotional program being the first of its kind will now take place annually and we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next year Five Million Euros, International Lottery Draws. To file for your claim, our accounts department authorized to verify and process your claims for your total payment would be contacting you. (You will receive more information upon your acknowledgment of this email) via our designated claims officer,
Sir.Harald Ravender.
Email Contact:
haraldcontact03@yahoo.co.uk
Tell:+44-703-1940273
Fax:+44-870-490-1003
Claims Officer.
Claims/Verifications Department.
 
CLAIMS/VERIFICATION FORM.
MR/MRS/MISS)
FIRST NAME:
LAST NAME:
RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:
DATE OF BIRTH:
NATIONALITY:
TEL No:
FAX No:
SEX:
MARITAL STATUS:
OCCUPATION (POSITION HELD):
REFERENCE NUMBER:
BATCH NUMBER:
AMOUNT WON:
 
It is expected that you would forward the information as soon as possible to enable us attend to your winnings. Once we confirm your information,your payment would be processed.
After you have sent down this information,a certificate will be prepared for you.
You are advised to keep your winning numbers secret.To aviod double claim.
Please Note that claims must be made not later than one week . After this date all winning funds will be included in our subsequent program. In order to avoid complications always quote your reference number in all correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform us as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more.

Sincerely yours,
Mrs.Rosita Ernest
co-ordinator.
STAR LIGHT INTL.

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