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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: b_willem@handbag.com
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 14:23:52 +0200
Subject: final note

FROM: THE DESK OF THE LOTTO CHANCELLOR,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF: KIY/47560460037/02.
BATCH: 24/23519/YHI
ATTENTION:
RE/ AWARD NOTIFICATION; FINAL NOTICE We are pleased to
inform you of the announcement today 03 January 2005 of winners of the REAL
EXCHANGE LOTTO PROMO, THE GLOBAL MEGA LOTTERY INT., PROGRAMS AMSTERDAM held
on 01 December 2004 through computer ballot system Your email is attached
to ticket
number 023-5876-790-279, with serial number 3673-10 drew the lucky numbers
43-14-42-37-69-25, and
consequently won the lottery in the first category.
You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$800 000:00
in cash credited to file
REF:KIY /47560460037/02. This is from total prize money of US$90,000,000.00
shared among the 25 international winners in
this category. All participants were selected through a computer ballot
system drawn form 30,000 names
from Australia, New Zealand, America, Europe, North America, Asia and Africa
as part of International
Promotions Program, which is conducted annually.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your fund is now deposited with a Finance House insured in your name. Due
to
the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award strictly
from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted
to your account. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double
claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program. We hope with
a part of your prize, you will participate in our end of year
high stakes US$1.0 Billion Netherlands International Lottery. To begin your
claim, please contact our international claim agent:

Mr. MIKE SMITH
email: mikesmithconsul@netscape.net
Tel:+31-6190-46-748
INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR

For due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account
of your choice.
Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 01 February 2005.
After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed.
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember
to quote your reference and batch numbers in every one of your correspondences
with your agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address,
do inform your claim's agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of
our promotions program.

Sincerely,
Mrs Brigit Willem
THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,GLOBAL MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL

N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result
to disqualification.
THANKS FOR WINNING and HAPPY NEW YEAR!


___________________________________________________________

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