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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: Swiss Bonanza <swissgames_070@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2007 23:01:09 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATION! YOU WON $1M USD /ONLINELOTTO BONANZA.




YOU WON $1M USD /ONLINELOTTO BONANZA SWISS LOTTERY ONLINE GAMING CORPORATION Our Dear Winner,
You won the sum of $1.M,(One million United.StatesDollars from the Swiss Lottery and Gaming Corporation).The winning ticket was selected from aData Base of Internet Email Users, from which your Email Address came out as the winning coupon. We hereby contact you to claim the winning amountquickly as this is a monthly lottery.Failure to claim your win will result into thereversion of the fund to our following month lottery. You are therefore requested to contact immediately ourClaims Department below quoting your winning number :ROL-05215796.
To begin your claim, please contact your claim agent;
Name: Mr. James Temba (Bsc)Tel: +27 78 111 44 04Email: worldwideclaimingagent@yahoo.comJohannesburg Regional Office:123 Rivonia Road, morningside, Sandton JhbSouth Africa. Provide the following informations needed to process your winning claim. Full Names ................................... Age: .................................. Sex: ................................... Residential address: ................... Nationality: ............................ Occupation: ............................. Post held: .............................. Tel(s): .................................. Fax: ..................................... Winning number...........................Company name: ............................ Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.Regards. Mrs.Anne Colsweat.(Co-ordinator)
_________________________________________________________________
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