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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: "APEX LOTTERY INTL. INC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <apexlottrr10@googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:43:10 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOUR EMAIL ID HAVE WON!!!zz


YOUR EMAIL ID HAVE WON!!!
APEX LOTTERY INTL. INC
Ref Number: APEX/910/16454
Batch Number: LWH 09102

Dear Internet User,

We are happy to announce to you that your email ID have won Jackpot GBP 1,000,000.00 (One Million Pounds Sterling). You were selected among the 10 (Ten) lucky winners during the internet ballot draw of the APEX LOTTERY INTL. INC. You are advised to contact the claims department immediately with the below information for the release of your prize money:

Mr. Denis Lee
Claim Agent
Tel: +44 7005968749
Fax: +44 7005968749
Email: apexlottrr10@googlemail.com
International prize Department
You are required to send the below information to the claim agent.

1. Full name:
2. Country:
3. Contact Address:
4. Telephone Number:
5. Marital Status:
6. Occupation:
7. Sex:
8. Age:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Yours Faithfully,

Apex Lottery Intl Inc.
Claims Cordinating Office

Anti-fraud resources: