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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 Promotion Award Team <info@award.com>
Reply-To: lestergold@iwrahost.com
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:37:06 -0800
Subject: Congratulations!!!




MICROSOFT PROMOTION AWARD TEAM
20 Craven Park, Harlesden
London NW10,United Kingdom
Ref: BTD/968/09
Batch: 409978E.

Dear Internet User,

Congratulations!!!


You are among the winners of this year Microsoft Promotion Award Team
your email have won you 500,000.00 pounds sterling (Five hundred thousand Great
Britain Pounds)
contact Mr.Lester Gold with your informations for verification.

Name:Mr.Lester Gold
Email: lestergold@iwrahost.com, lestergold01@aol.co.uk
Tel: +44 704 571 9541
Microsoft Promotion Award Team
Head Winning Claims Dept

1. Full Names:.........
2. Home Address:.......
3. Age:................
4. Sex:................
5. Marital Status:.....
6. Occupation:.........
7. Phone numbers:......
8. Country:............

Sincerely,
Mr.Ross Webb
Head Customer Care Service
Microsoft Promotion Award Team


Anti-fraud resources: