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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 CO-OPERATIONS UK <przedszkole.sp@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: mswclaimsdept@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 23:20:30 +0800
Subject: Microsoft 2010 Email Promo!!!

Microsoft UK Headquarters
Microsoft Campus
Thames Valley Park
Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1W=20

Batch: 12/25/0340=20

Attention: Winner,=20

The prestigious Microsoft has successfully organized and sent out Swe=
epstakes marking the 2010 anniversary. Microsoft is running an e-mail=
beta test.=20

All participants were selected through our Microsoft computer ballot =
system form 21,000 names, 3,000 names from each continent, as part of=
International=20
"E-MAIL" Promotions Program, which is conducted=20
every year for prominent email users all over the world, and for the =
continued use of E-mail.=20

Your email address has won =A3500,000.00, GBP in the MICROSOFT AWARD =
PROMO We hope with your prize, you will be happy to promote the use o=
f E-mail.=20

To claim your winning prize, you must first contact the claims depart=
ment by email for processing and remittance of your prize money to yo=
u.=20

Batch number....................12/25/0340
Reff number.......................Ref:MSN-L/200-26937
Winning number...................YM09788
To begin your claim please contact our licensed and accredited agent =
assigned
to you.
=20
Mr. Terry Martins
(VERIFICATION DEPARTMENT MANAGER)
Email: mswclaimsdept@hotmail.com
Tel: +44-703-188-2335

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
CLAIMS REQUIREMENT'S=20
------------------------------------------------------=20
[FULL NAME]
[RESIDENT ADDRESS]
[COUNTRY/ REGION]
[STATE]
[DATE OF BIRTH]=20
[SEX]=20
[MARITUAL STATUS]
[OCCUPATION]
[CURRENT EMAIL]
[MOBILE PHONE]
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=20

Finally, all funds should be claimed by their respective beneficiarie=
s, not later than 20 days after notification. On behalf of the Board =
kindly,=20
accept our warmest congratulations.=20

(ONLINE HELP DESK):
Sir Powell White.
Head Winning Claims Dept.=20

Yours Sincerely,=20

Mrs. Elizabeth Andre
Information Department.
CHIEF SPONSOR; MICROSOFT CO-OPERATIONS UNITED KINGDOM

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