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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: MRS EVA LOPEX FERNANDEZ <evaloferbo@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: aplatiusdor@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2006 21:00:10 +0100
Subject: YOU ARE ONE OF OUR WINNERS CLAIM YOUR FUND


Dear Beneficiary,
We are glad to inform you that through our computer online ballot system, you have been been picked by microsoft master mindsystem supported by Ayutermainto of madrid here in spain.
Attached is your winning batch nº and ref. nº. contact the claims agent and
they shall process your claims.
And if you don`t find the attachment then send us message will shall forward it from our fill as far as you write this ref. nº: EGL/351356123/04-03M/05
congratulations!

Anti-fraud resources: