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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: Microsoft Notification <info@microsoft.org>
Reply-To: mrsgloria01@live.co.uk
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:42:24 +0200
Subject: Online Sweepstakes!!!

MICROSOFT®
(UK. Regional Office)
United Building,
Kensington London W85SP.
Data File Number: Un1267-2011
It is obvious that this notification will come to you as a surprise,
Please find time to read it carefully as we congratulate you,following
official publication of results of the E-mail electronic online
Sweepstakes organized by Microsoft,in conjunction with the United Kingdon
held this month of march 2011,in United kingdom, A Draft of
£1,000,000.00 (One Million British Pound Sterlings) will be issued in
your name. For Validation Purpose,Please Forward The Following
Information as Listed Below and Send It To Our Event Manager Office For
Claim:
Full Names:
Residential address:
Tel(Mobile):
Nationality/Country:
Age/Sex:
Occupation/Position:
SEND DETAILS FOR VALIDATION:
Promotion Director : Mrs Gloria West.
Contact Email: mrsgloria01@live.co.uk

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