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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: UKNATIONAL LOTTERY PROMOTION <britishonlinelottery_promotion@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2006 14:32:33 +0000
Subject: Congratulations!!!

=C3=96sterre= ichische Lotterien
Central Office 
Management and Central= Services:          = ; 
Rennweg 44
AT - 1038 Wien,Austria.
 
Refere= nce Number: =C3=96L/05-AT/2673
Batch: =C3=96L/05/6565
 
Congratulati= ons!!!
 
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the= just concluded annual final draws of =C3=96sterreichische Lotterien = Program. =C3=96sterreichische Lotterien draws was conducted from an e= xclusive list of 25,000,000 e-mail addresses of individual and corpor= ate bodies picked  by an advanced automated random computer ball= ot search from the internet as part of our international promotions p= rogram which we conduct every year.No tickets were sold.
 
After this a= utomated computer ballot, your e-mail address attached to serial numb= er 25-6565 drew the lucky numbers 6-13-18-24-33-39 which consequently= emerged you as one of first fifty (50) lucky winners in this categor= y.
 
You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payou= t of =E2=82=AC1,000,000.00 (One Million EURO) in cash credited to fil= e =C3=96L/05-AT/2673. This is from a total cash prize of =E2=82=AC50 = Million Euro shared amongst the first fifty (50) lucky winners in thi= s category. 
  
  =   Your fund is now deposited in an offshore bank with a hardcove= r insurance. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we advice t= hat you keep this award from public notice until your claim has been = processed and your money remitted to your nominated bank account as t= his is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unwa= rranted taking advantage of this program by the general public.
&n= bsp;
  = Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European= booklet representative office in London. In view of this, your =E2= =82=AC1,000,000.00 (One Million Euro) would be released to you by our= affiliate bank in Europe.
Our agent will immediately commence th= e process to facilitate the release of your funds to you as soon as y= ou make contact with him.
 
  = To begin your claim please contact our licensed and accredited agent= assigned to you:
 
Mr.Stevens.G. He= rbert
=C3=96sterreichische Lotterien
Information and Payment Bu= reau:
London Representative Office.
Phone: +44-702-305-8359 Fax:    +44-870-068-8245
E-mail:info_herberts_clai= ms@yahoo.co.uk
 
Your claims = agent will assist you in the processing and remittance of your prize = funds into your designated bank account.
 
Note that all p= rize funds must be claimed not later than One month. After this date = all funds will be returned to the LOTTERY TREASURY as unclaimed. In o= rder to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please endeavor t= o quote your Reference Number:=C3=96L/05-AT/2673 and Batch numbers:= =C3=96L/05/6565 in every correspondence with your agent. Furthermore,= should there be any change in your address, do inform your claims ag= ent as soon as possible.
Members of the affiliate agencies are aut= omatically not allowed to participate in this program.
 
C= ongratulations once again from all members of our staff and thanks fo= r being part of our promotions program.
 
Yours faithf= ully,
Mrs.Susanne Lu
Promotions Manager.
=C3=96sterreichisch= e Lotterien.

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