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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: "gratta vinci" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <comprabiglietti@virgilio.it>
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:19:54 +0100
Subject: confirmation

Superenalotto is the biggest lottery organization in Italy and with the
prize in our jackpot going up and up we are now going international and
picking winners worldwide through our internet draw program. You have been
selected via your email address as a winner in our internet draw to
receive a magnificent prize.
To claim and for further information on how much you won contact us at
comprabiglietti@virgilio.it
Your claim reference number is O8MT-M15XEU. Quote this when you contact us.
Thank you.
Management
Superenalotto Italy

Anti-fraud resources: