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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: "Windows Online Promotion" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <claimssector@winning.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:00:02 +0100
Subject: Windows® Winning Batch Number: MC46/467/3GHO /EU

Microsoft Lottery Promotion
12 Georgia Palace, Central London,
London CRA3 2LU.
United Kingdom.
 
Congratulations !!!
 
We Wish To Congratulate You On This Note, As One Of Our Winners Selected This Month /Year 2010. This Promotion Was Set-Up To Encourage The Active Users Of The Internet Microsoft Windows. Hence We Do Believe With Your Winning Prize, You Will Continue To Be Active And Patronage To The Microsoft Windows.
 
Your Winning Details Are As Follows:
 
{1} Award Number: MWS#2010
{2} Batch Number: MC46/467/3GHO /EU
{3} The File Reference Number: MWSY-Y/072-908627
 
Your Email Address Emerged As One Of The Online Winner In The 2nd Category And Therefore attracted a cash award of 950,000.00 GBP.
 
The Draw Was Done Electronically With Several E-mail Addresses Provided To This Office By Web mail Providers To Enhance The Utilization Of The Internet Microsoft Windows
 
They are arranged in this format below:
CATEGORY NO.OF WINNERS WINNING PRIZES
1st.       3         1,500,000.00 pounds each
2nd.      10          950,000.00  pounds each
3rd.      13         750,000.00   pounds each
4th.      27         350,000.00   pounds each
For Verification Purpose Be Sure To Include:
You Are Advised To Contact Our Fiduciary Agent With The Following Details To Avoid Unnecessary Delay And Complications:
 
(1)Your Full Name :
(2)Your Telephone Number :
(3)Your Residential Address :
(4)Nationality:
(5)Occupation:
(6)Sex:
(7)Age:
(8)Marital Status:
(9)Email Address:
(10)Winning Details:
(11)Your Preferred Method Of Receiving Your Prize(From Below)                      
 
Mode Of Prize Remittance.
 
(i)Cash Pick-Up (You coming Down to United Kingdom Personally To Pick Your Prize).
(ii)Courier Delivery Of your Certified Winning Cheque  And Other Winning Documents Safely To You.
 
Mr. Martin Hillman.
Microsoft® Corporation
Telephone:+44-703-191-4542
           Fax:+44-700-580-0397
Email: claimssector@winning.com
Email: claimssector1@gmail.com
 
Zonal Coordinator
Mr. Dasilva. Green
MICROSOFT WINDOWS®                             
                                                                                 Copyright 2010 Microsoft® Inc. All rights reserved

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