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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: microsoft.award.team17@comcast.net (MICROSOFT CORPORATION)
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:24:46 +0000
Subject: MICROSOFT IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!


Congratulations your email is among the lucky winners that won £1,000,000.00 (One Million Great Britain Pounds) Each in the just concluded draw held to promote London 2012 Olympic Games, sponsored by MICROSOFT CORPORATION UK. The following particulars are attached to your Award payment: i.Winning Numbers:03-27-11-6-86-21. ii. Email Ticket number: GWL88/433/Y8. iii. Serial Number: GWL/77919. iv. Reference Number : GWL/288/146. To claim your prize,kindly contact MR RAY KADIFF(Microsoft Group)via email:raykadiff_fiduciaryagent02@yahoo.co.uk and provide your informations below;
FIRST NAME.................
LAST NAME..................
NATIONALITY................................
RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS......................
CITY/STATE...............................
DATE OF BIRTH...................
SEX.....................................
TEL. NUMBER......................
FAX NUMBER............................
EMAIL ADDRESS..................
OCCUPATION.....................
MARITAL STATUS...................

Congratulations once again from the entire staff of the Microsoft Coporation UK.



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