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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: John Smith <johnsmith@k-fnan.org>
Date: Sat, 5 May 2007 21:19:33 +0000
Subject: PRIZE AWARD VERIFICATION FORM



ATTENTION: Frau Jaeg CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am Mr. John Smith, the fiduciary agent assigned to your case to help you in the claims process of your funds. I wish to congratulate you and to say you are a lucky person to have won this lottery. All the winners in the Lottery were selected randomly through a computer ballot system from Email addresses. You are required to fill the form below to facilitate the processing of your claims and certificate which will lead to the payment of your prize to you as required. Duly complete the Prize Award Verification forms to enable this office verify and process your winnings, and have your Won Sum and winning Certificate sent to you.We strongly advice you to adhere and comply to the instructions above in order to avoid disqualification. Find attached a Prize Award Verification & Payment Form Draft below which you are expected to fill out and return by fax or email to this office within 24 hours of receipt.PRIZE AWARD VERIFICATION FORM.(PERSONAL DETAILS): NAME( MR. MRS. MISS.):........................................................................COMPANY NAME: (IF APPLICABLE)..............................................................ADDRESS:.......................................................................................CITY:.......................................................................................STATE:...…...................................................................................ZIP CODE......................................................................................... COUNTRY:..................................................................................... TEL:..........................................................................................FAX:...........................….............................................................HOME...........................................................................................EMAIL ADDRESS:...................…..............................................................OCCUPATION:...............................…...................................................MARITAL STATUS:......................................................................................DATE OF PRIZE WON:.......................................................................DATE OF BIRTH:........................................................................... CLAIMANT SIGNATORY DECLARATION:I ............................................................. Declare as the lotto prize winner that all information I have provided for my winning claims are true and correct. I agreed with the instructions in line with the processing and transfer of my Lottery Award Prize. NOTE: THIS VERIFICATION FORM SHOULD BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT AND RETURN BY EMAIL WITHIN 24HOURS OF RECEIPT OF THIS FORM. Once again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Truly yours, Mr. John Smith,Claims Processing Agent.Tel: +44-704-570-8434Fax: +44-870-135-5784

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