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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: Jessica Williams <cyberfoundation@netscape.net>
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:02:48 -0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS>>>>YOU HAVE WON!!!

CYBER-FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.
REF NUMBER:[KT5/824/9T8/M14]

We are happy to inform you that your email address has been selected as
one of the lucky email addresses in the category "B" of the online lotto
conducted by CYBER-FOUNDATION.


CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
The cyber-Lotto was conducted by a first of its kind automated computer
balloting system, where by
email addresses(30,000 email addresses),were extracted from all
continents of the world.A draw was held
in different categories and winners emerged from different parts of the
world and they are entitled to
various cash prizes depending on their different categories.Thus, you
are entitled to a prize money of 1,500,000 euros
Reference number for your prize is:[KT5/824/9T8/M14]
Ticket number:[MLS/28/12/30JM]
As a category B winner, you have been selected by computer balloting
system where only email addresses are soughted,from a total number
of 30,000 email addresses drawn from all over the globe.
After an automated computer ballot of our International Promotions
Program, only ONE winner emerged in this category and therefore
you are to receive payout of 1,500,000 euros.
This promotional program takes place every year, and is promoted
and sponsored by eminent personalities like the Sultan of Brunei,and
other corporate organisations.This is to encourage the use of the
internet and computers worldwide.


To immediately claim your prize, please contact our fiduciary agent
below are the contact information of
your fiiduciary agent:
===================================
CITI TRUSTEE BV.
Amsterdam Netherland.
Tel :31-617-624-631.
Fax :31-205-248-320.
Contact:Mr.Mark Daniels.
Email:cititruste@netscape.net
====================================

Provide Prize reference number-[KT5/824/9T8/M14]and winning ticket
number [MLS/28/12/30JM] for
confirmation. In your best interest(s), you must initiate contact within
one week of receipt of this
correspondence.

You are to provide the below details,to enable the speedy evaluation and
processing of your winnings. we advice
that you adhere strictly to their procedures to avoid any
disqualifications and subsequent cancellation
1. your full names
2. your full home / office address
3. direct telephone/fax numbers and email
the above detailed information will be absolutely necessary to file in
your claims.

You may be required to provide any of the above information during the
process of collecting your prize.
We congratulate you once again and it is our hope that you participate
in any of our international programs in the nearest future.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jessica Willams,
Promotions Manager


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