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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 Office {England} <mr.markfoster11@live.com>
Reply-To: mspcenter@live.co.uk
Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:45:37 +1000
Subject: SHK/SMO/0829

Micro-Soft Sweepstakes Promotion,
100 Victoria St, London SW1E 5JL
United Kingdom
Customer Service.

Your Batch No: 074/05/ZY369
Your Reference No: SHK/SMO/0829

You have been awarded the sum of 550,000 British Pounds and a Toshiba laptop in the on going Micro-Soft Sweepstakes Promotion 2011. For claims send the above reference number and batch number and fill the form below for verification and release of winning prize.

Names:
Tel:
Age:
Address:
Occupation:
Country:

Agent Name: Mr.Mark Foster
Tel:+44 704-571-0545
Email: mspcenter@live.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources: