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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: UK National Lottery <info@lottery.org>
Reply-To: dept@w.cn
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:00:55 +0800
Subject: YOU HAVE WON =?iso-8859-1?b?ozUyNSwwMDAuMDA=?= GBP.

Dear Internet User,

This is to officially inform you that you have been selected among our recent
winners on the UK National Lottery, for claims and details as regard your
winning you are to follow instructions as indicated below.
Your email address among Nine others were selected randomly after a ballot
election done electronically, you are therefore decleared a winner of
£525,000.00 GBP (Five Hundred and Twenty five Thousand Pounds)

Meanwhile for claims you are to contact Mr. Bryan Scott as your claim agent
with the informations below.

************************************
Mr. Bryan Scott
Tel: +447024081642
E-mail: processing@w.cn
************************************

Meanwhile it is mandatory that you fill the form below and send it to (Mr.
Bryan Scott)

1) FULL NAME
2) AGE:
3) SEX
4) PHONE NUMBER:
5) COUNTRY:
6) OCCUPATION:

YOUR WINNING CREDENTIALS
Winning Number: 01500680030537-42535
Batch Number: UKNL/eun/zz10
Ref Number: Rus/o1006.aa

Once again conratulations from members and staff of the National
Lottery Board.

Sincearely
Mrs. Linda Rice

Anti-fraud resources: