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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: "Bill Gates Foundation" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bgfusa@usa.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 04:47:02 -0700
Subject: FOR YOUR INFORMATION.

MICROSOFT®
#1 Microsoft Way Redmond,
WA 98052-7329. USA.

Attention: Winner No. 005,

Please be informed that this is the final notification regarding your emergence as the fifth winner in the Microsoft electronic mail on-line Sweepstakes organized by Microsoft Network Corporation; sponsored by the Bill Gates Foundation (Owner of Microsoft Network Corporation) for the promotion and encouragement of its Windows Internet Explorer globally.

The draw was carried out using the electronic raffling system (ERS) for random selection from a database of 180,848,127 emails worldwide, and your email address attached to coupon Number: KP23/857/MCL5/CO won you the sum of US$1,000,000 (One Million United States Dollars) in the First category.

The MSN promotion is approved by the American Gaming Board and the International Association of gaming regulators (IAGR).

It is important to note that your award was released with the following particulars attached to it.

(1) File Number: F1267-2013
(2) Email Entrant Coupon Number :KP23/857/MCL5/CO
(3) Grant Number: MSN/6563459/775

To begin the claim of your prize, you are required provide the information below for immediate payment processing:

1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS
3. YOUR MOBILE NUMBER
4. YOUR DATE OF BIRTH
5. COMPANY NAME
6. POSITION

Send all complete info to: bgfusa@usa.com

As soon as the above information is received, payment will be processed and released accordingly and you will be informed immediately via email for remittance.

Congratulations once more, and we wish you the best.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs. Helen Bright,
Director of Promotions.
MICROSOFT NETWORK CORPORATION.

Anti-fraud resources: