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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: "ATM MasterCard Beneficiary" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atm.maestromastercard03@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2010 07:59:58 +0100
Subject: Dear E-mail User

Dear E-mail User,

We happily announce to you that Your email has just won the ATM MAESTRO MASTER CARD Jackpot: $ 420,000.00 (Four Hundred and Twenty thousand United States Dollar)

NATIONAL LOTTERY.

Programme held on Friday 1/10/2010
*********************************************
Winning Numbers:24,2,13,16,25,40 Bonus 18.
Secret No: 089188/10
Winning Date: Friday 1/10/2010
E-mail : atm.maestromastercard03@gmail.com
Tel:+44-702-405-6953
*********************************************

1. Full Names
2. Delivery Address ( PRESENT HOME ADDRESS NOT P.O. Box )
3. Nationality / Present Location
4. Occupation /
5. Phone Number(s)

Thanks for your cooperation and congratulations once again.

Yours in Service,
Mrs. Alexander Smith
Customer Care
ATM Maestro MasterCard

Anti-fraud resources: