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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: BARRISTER.FRANCO BUFFON L.L.D <universal_lottery2424@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mariostef@inbox.com
Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:31:33 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!


FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
UNIVERSAL LOTTERY
PROMOTION PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF:PL :2/209318/09
BATCH:18/103/BENGPL.
Attn: Winner,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the
Lottery Winners International programs held on the
20 -12 -2006. Your e-mail address attached to ticket
number 53652894490-4502 with serial number 8942366,
batch number 856151507,lottery ref number 7675213911
and drew lucky numbers -3-6-29-44-66 which consequently won in the category C.
you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
US$550,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND
United States dollars) only CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that
you keep your winning information confidential until
your claims has been processed and your money Remitted
to you. This is part of our security protocol
to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this
program by some participants. All participants were
selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
over 50,000 company and 25,000,000 individual
email addresses and names from all over the world.
This promotional program takes place every year. This
lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of
software producers. we hope with part of your
winning, you will take part in our next year US$20
million Universal Lottery . To file for your claim,
please contact our fiducially agent:
==============================================================
Mr. Franco Burry
GULF ATLANTIC S A .
ITALY
Email: desanario@wanadoo.es OR agent: marcovans@yahoo.it
==============================================================
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than
28th, JANUARY 2007. After this date all unclaimed funds
will be included in the next stake. Please note in
order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications
please remember to quote your reference number and
batch numbers in all correspondence. Furthermore,
should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff
and thank you for being part of our promotional
program.
Yours Sincerely,
Proff. Carlo Caligaris
Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: