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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 Online" <prrilk@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <ccoil3776@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:37:25 -0700
Subject: MOBILE NUMBER WINNER...

Dear lucky winner,
This is to inform you that your MOBILE NUMBER has won First Ever consolation prize of the Microsoft Online Lottery Draw held 2011 your Mobile Number won you (£1,000,000.00) One Million Great British Pounds. Provide the information listed below to Ms. Cecilia Williams your claim consultant:

(1) YOUR FULL NAMES: ................
(2) YOUR ADDRESS: ....................
(3) COUNTRY: ..............................
(4) NATIONALITY .........................
(5) MOBILE NUMBER: ...................
(6) AGE.........................................
(7) OCCUPATION...........................
(8) AMOUNT WON ........................
(9) REGISTRATION NUMBER: PC0124475ABBEYZA

The above required details should be sent immediately for processing to:
(Ms. Cecilia Williams)
PHONE: +27-78-150-6854
FAX: +27-86-513-5841
E-MAIL: micro_claimdept@live.com
Our special thanks and gratitude to Bill Gates and his Associates. We wish you the best of luck. Thank you for being part of our promotional award program and commemorative Anniversary Draws.

Anti-fraud resources: