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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: "AUSTRALIAN LOTTERY INC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lclemsagent5@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2011 20:55:55 -0700
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!! (Your Have won $700,000. USD In The AUSTRALIAN LOTTERY PROGRAM)

AUSTRALIA LOTTO LOTTERY INC.
5th Floor East
Commonwealth Center
55 Currie Street
Adelaide SA 5000,
South Australia.
 
Ref: 475061725
Batch: 7056490902/188
Winning no: GB8701/LPRC
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to inform you that your Email Address have emerged winner of the AUSTRALIAN LOTTERY PROGRAM .You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of $700,000. USD (Seven Hundred Thousand United state dollars)
To file for your claim. Please quote your Date of draw, Reference Number, Batch Number and Winning Number, which can be found on the top-left corner of this message. Also, you should fill the below personal form to help locate your file easily.
 
For security reasons, we advice all winners to keep this information confidential from the public until your claim is processed and your prize has been released to you and also to the public. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted taking advantage of this programme by non-participant or unofficial personnel.
 
1) Scanned copy of International passport or Drivers license/Identity card:
(2) Full Name:
(3) Telephone:
(4) Occupation:
(5) Age:
(6) Sex:
(7) Full Address:
(8) country:
(9) Nationality:
 
Contact details:
AUSTRALIAN CLAIMS OFFICE
 
Email: lclemsagent5@gmail.com
Note: All winnings MUST be claimed before the 10th of May. 2011; otherwise all funds will be canceled.
Yours Faithfully,
Miss Carol Smith
Online coordinator for
AUSTRALIA LOTTERY INC.

Anti-fraud resources: