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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: "MICROSOFT COMPANY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr_nicoscott05@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:09:25 +0530
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS/YOU WON SUMS OF $ 1,000,000:00
Microsoft web / Email usage Campaign
Microsoft Online Promotions
United Kingdom.
REF: ms-475061723
BATCH:22
Ticket:NUMBER 43566
Lucky Serial NO 3772554,
MSN®
Congratulations!!
The prestigious Microsoft has set out and successfully organized an awards
programme to mark our yearly web/email usage awareness campaign, we rolled
out over ONE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ($ 1,000,000.00) for the
recently concluded web and email usage promotions. Participants for the
draws were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of World Wide Web
(www) hosts, from whose patronage we have become what we are today.
Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached REF: ms-475061723
BATCH:22, Lucky Serial NO 3772554,
which subsequently won you ONE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ($
1,000,000.00) in our recently concluded promotions/campaign.
Hence you are advised to contact claims and processing agent;
HON:NICOLAS SCOT
Email: mr_nicoscott05@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile No; +447010049557
with the following details to file for claims and avoid delays and
complications of funds claim while the promotions last.
Kindly contact the agent on the above email stating the under listed
informations
**Full Names........................
**Country.........................
**Residential Address.....................
**Occupation..........................
**Age.......................
**Company Name.................
**Phone...........................
Necessary information,s and procedures would be passed accross in due
course. Once again Congratulations and we do like to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
HON NICOLAS SCOT
On behalf of
Microsoft mail usage Promotions Board.
MSN® /2013

Anti-fraud resources: