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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: "Landry, Christine" <clandry2@babson.edu>
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 13:27:59 -0400
Subject: Congratulations

Congratulations

UK Microsoft Lottery.
31 Dibdin House,
Maida Vale,
London W9 1QE
United Kingdom

02, September, 2008.

Dear Lucky winner,
The UK Microsoft Corporation has set out and successfully organized a
sweepstakes marking the Mid Year Anniversary Draws, we rolled out over
100,000.000 GBP for the Mid Year Anniversary Draws. Participants for
the draws were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of web
hosts which we enjoy their patronage.

The selection was made through a computer draw system attaching
personalized email addresses to ticket numbers. Your email address as
indicated was drawn and attached to ticket number 065/088/XY24 with
serial numbers UK/839030X2/08 and drew the lucky numbers 02-22-26-28-
30-39(12) which subsequently won you 500,000 GBP. The draws registered
as Draw number one was conducted in London, United Kingdom. Held on
31st of August, 2008.These Draws are commemorative and as such special.
Please be informed by this winning notification to file for your claim.
Kindly forward your winning details to:

MICROSOFT LOTTERY CLAIM DEPARTMENT.
Dr. McDonald Ray.
Email: drdonaldray@live.com
Tel: +44-703-195-4526
Tel: +44-703-194-6313

PRIZE CLAIMS PAYMENT REQUIREMENT FORM.
1. Full Names.
2. Country.
3. Contact Address.
4. Occupation.
5. Telephone Number.
6. Date of Birth.

DECLARATION:
I___________HEREBY DECLARE THAT THE ABOVE DATA ARE TRUE. THAT

MY
CLAIMS AGENT SHALL ACT AS A FACILITATOR IN THE TRANSFER OF THE

TOTAL
FUND TO ME.

DATE________

Congratulations from the entire member of the Microsoft Lottery
Promotion Award Team.

Sincerely,

Landry Christine.
Promotion Manager, Microsoft Lottery, UK.

Anti-fraud resources: