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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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Fraud email example:

From: "LUCKYDAY LOTTO INTERNATIONAL." <cjauldlottoint@netscape.net>
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 04:33:13 +0200
Subject: YOU HAVE WON!

From: luckydaylottopromo International
Ref. Number: 132/756/4534
Batch number: 638901527-AMB/02

Sir/ Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of the lottery result
winners International programmes held on 24th September
2004.

Your e-mail address was attached to ticket number
278511465896-6452 with your serial number 3772-554
drew you a lucky number 3-14-18-23-31-45 which
consequently won in the first category, you are
therefore been approved for lump sum pay out of US$
3,000,000 (Three million Dollars) CONGRATULATIONS!! !

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, you are
advised to keep your winning information confidential
until your claims has been processed and your money
remitted to your nominated bank. This is part of our
security protocol to avoid double claims and
unwarranted abuse of this programme by some
participants. All participants were selected through
an e-mail balloting. This promotional programme takes
place every three years.

To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial
agent:
Adrian Learf.
E-mail address: adlearf@netscape.net

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than
8th October 2004. Please note, in order to avoid
unnecessary delays and complications, remember to
quote your reference number and batch number in all
correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any
change of address do inform our agent as soon as
possible.
Once again congratulations.
Best regards,

Jaclyn Richards.
Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: