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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: "audrey williams" <freelotteryinc13@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 12:28:43 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION..........CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

FREE LOTTERY EURO MEGA MILLIONS 
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS
9 Chaucer House
Churchill gardens
London, SW1V 3DW
United Kingdom.
 
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369
 
Dear Lucky Winner,
 
RE: WINNING NOTIFICATION..........CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
 
We are pleased to notify you the draw  of the FREE LOTTERY EURO MEGA MILLIONS, Online Sweepstakes International Lottery Program held on 1/01/2006  and released today the 1/10/2006.
 
Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from a pool of over 25,000 names of distinguished professionals drawn from Europe, America,Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle-East, parts of Africa, and North & South America as part of our international promotions programme conducted annually to encourage prospective overseas entries. We hope with part of your prize awards,you will take part in our subsequent lottery jackpots.
 
The result of our computer draw  selected your name and email address attached to e-ticket  number:56475600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers: 21. 32. 41.42. 43. 46. 17. (42 Bonus Ball), which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category i.e. match 5 plus bonus. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £1,856,652(One Million Eight Hundred AND Fifty
Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Two Pounds Sterling) in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03.This is from a total cash prize of £16,533,022 shared amongst
the first Six (6) lucky winners in this category i.e. Match 5 plus bonus.
 
Your prize award has been insured in your name and is ready for claims. To begin your claims therefore, you are advised to expeditiously contact our licensed and
accredited claims agent for Overseas Lottery Winners within a period of 21 days (date of this email inclusive) for the processing of your winning and remittance
to you after all statutory obligations have been satisfactorily dispensed with.
 
This promotion takes place weekly. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated
in your play coupon. In view of this, your £1,856,652(One Million Eight Hundred AND Fifty Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Two Pounds Sterling) would be
released to you by any of our payment offices in Europe.
 
Please be informed that claims not processed within the stipulated period may be forfeited to the pool without further notice.
 
 
Overseas Claims Unit
CONTACT NAME: Carl Allison
CITY/ COUNTRY: London, United Kingdom.
EMAIL:
freelotteryinfo@fsmail.net
 
 
Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so desire. Be
further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims.
This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.
 
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
 
 
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs  Audrey Williams
=================================================================
Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to disqualification.This E-mail message (including attachments, if any) is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain Information that is privileged, proprietary, confidential and exempted from disclosure.If you are not the intended recipient,you are notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.

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