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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: Dutch-Microsoft <dutchmicrosoft@aim.com>
Date: Sun, 20 May 2007 13:41:37 +0200
Subject: Congratulations! You won 1 million USD

Dutch-Microsoft Software Promotions
Middenweg 97, 1098 AG
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
REFERENCE #:67/80/IPD
BATCH #:NL-541-623-732
S.C.F #:NL-212-455-122


Dear Winner,
Congratulations!
With utmost joy, we are pleased to inform you of the result of the
Dutch-Microsoft promotional draws held on the 12th May 2007 which drew a cash
prize of $1,000,000.00. Your e-mail address attached to Ticket/Code number
0087411652337
with claim/reference number 085093785/07 drew these lucky numbers
007-49746-041-764-64-2091, which consequently won in the 1st category. You have
been approved to
receive a cash prize of $1,000,000.00 (One million USD).

Be advised that due to incessant mix up in cash prize transfer to previous
winners, we advise that you keep your winning information confidential until
your claim has been processed and released to you. This security measure is
crucial; its a measure
put in place to avoid double claims, transfer and unwarranted abuse of this
program by other
participants.

METHOD OF SELECTING WINNERS:
participants were selected anonymously through a private ballot system (computer
ballot) from over 35,000 companies and 70,000 individual e-mail addresses all
over the world. At the final draw your e-mail address emerged as the winner of
our last jackpot.This is promotional program takes place bi-annually as a means
of promoting our rapidly growing computer software company and also to
rewardsome individuals and corporations who have devoted their time and
resources surfing the world
wide web (www) with their email addresses.And it is promoted and sponsored by
Microsft
Inc.,Winning.com and the telecom giant O2.Hence this sweepstake also serve as
promotion for
theservices offerred by all sponsors aforementioned.

Remember, all winnings must be claimed not later than 7 working days from
today.After the expiration of that time frame, if your funds are unclaimed, it
will be refunded to us and included in our next draws.

Lastly, in order to avoid unnecessary delays/complications with the transfer of
your funds to you, please always remember to quote your Code number in all
correspondence with our paying agent.Furthermore,should there be any change of
your present address, please notify us immediately so we can make the appropriate adjustment.
Congratulations from the management and staff of Dutch-Microsoft, Winning.com &
O2----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------So


do kindly, immediately, contact our approved Paying Agent in The Netherlands for

your payment advice.Send them following e-mail:

I ..................................
with e-mail address:...............
contact address:....................
Ticket and code number:................,..........................
the winner of the Dutch-Microsoft, Winning.com & O2 lottery promotion
cash prize of $1,000,000.00. Kindly advise me with details of the process of the
transfer of my cash prize within the next 7-working days.

Contact details of our Paying Agent:

OSDORP FINANCE
E-mail: osdorpfinance@cbgb.net
Tel:+31 642 873 032
Fax:+31 84 714 2412
Fax:+31 84 738 5726
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.


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