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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: "SPANISH AWARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <grupcatalana@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 11:16:43 +0100
Subject: BATCH:ESIL/15/096/GCO

SPANISH SWEEPSTAKE INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF: ESIL/61-ILGI0509/45
BATCH:ESIL/15/096/GCO

RE: AWARD FINAL NOTIFICATION
We are pleased to inform you of the release of the long awaited results of Spanish Sweepstakes promotion Sponsor by Microsoft Corporations held March 2011, in Madrid where your email address emerged as one of the online Winning emails in the 2nd category and therefore attracted a cash award of 1,000,000.00 euro (One Million Euro) Only.

To begin your claim, do file for the release of your winning by contacting our claim agent:
Grupo Catalana Seguros S.A.
Mr.Luis Martins
Email:grupocatalanaes@aol.com
Tel: +34-672-835-787
Congratulations again from all members of our staff.

Sincerely,
Franscessco Marco




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