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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: "Microsoft Promotion Award Team" <zentecat12@contractor.com>
Reply-To: zentecagent@contractor.net
Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 05:47:32 -0500
Subject: Dear Winner!

Microsoft Promotion Award Team
23 South Way WIW London,
United Kingdom.
MICROSOFT WINNING NOTIFICATION.... PROMO

The prestigious Microsoft® Windows XP Corporations wishes to inform you that
your e-mail address emerged as one of their online lucky Winners selected
from our private computerized lottery drawn here in London United Kingdom
and this selection process was carried out through a random selection in
our Computerized Email Selection System (C.E.S.S.) from a database of over
a million email addresses from the world wide web. This promotion was
set-up to encourage the active users of the Internet Microsoft® Windows.
Hence we do believe that with your winning prize, you will continue to be
active and patronage to the Microsoft® Windows XP Corporations.
Therefore you have won the sum of £500,000.00 pounds {Five Hundred Thousand
Great British Pounds}. A winning cheque will be issued in your name by the
Microsoft® Windows XP Corporation and also a certificate of prize claims
will be sent to you along side with your winnings cheque. You are to make
contact with your designated agent who shall by duty, guide you through
the process of facilitating the release of your Prize.

For claims,you are advised to contact your designated appointed agent with
the following details below.

Zentec Security
Mr Astrid Pedersen
Email:zentecagent@contractor.net
Direct Tel.Line;+44(0)702-404-4595

VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.
1. Full Name:..............
2. Address....................
3. Occupation:..............
4. Nationality...............
5. Tel No........................
6.Date Of Birth....................

Once again on behalf of all our staff and Managements we say CONGRATULATIONS!

Sincerely,
Microsoft Promotion Award Team,
United Kingdom Sub Region.

Anti-fraud resources: