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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: "MR.GEORGE KELVIN" <planetsoftlottoagent@mmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2005 01:10:42 +0100
Subject: WINNING NOTICE

PLANETSOFTWARES EMAIL/INTERNET INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY .
FROM:INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
SPAIN-MADRID


REF:SOFTWARE/44353/SOFT/25
BATCH: 002/747/MD/SPC

Attn: Winner,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the PlanetSoftwares Email/Internet International Lottery programs held on the 20th of March, 2005.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to mix up of some names and numbers, your funds has been deposited and covered with insurance bond policy in a Finance bank awaiting remittance after all matters has been regularized.


We ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.

HOW WAS IT SELECTED/PLAYED?

All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 100,000 company and 50,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world, so luckily for you, your E-mail address attached to ticket number 91670188-730 with lucky main number 70 11 88 33 09 drew lucky star numbers 201 07, which consequently won in the 2nd
category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of €500,000.00. (Five Hundred Thousand Euro).

This lottery was promoted and sponsored by the world largest Microsoft software company in order to enhance and promote the use of Internet Explorer Users and microsoft-wares around the globe. This promotional program takes place every three year. We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next Lottery Program, 50 Million Euro International lottery.

To begin your lottery claim, please contact the processing agency that have been appointed for the processing of your wining. Please call your Fiducial Agent,

MR.GEORGE KELVIN the Foreign operation manager of the appointed company,

PLANETSOFTWARES E-MAIL INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY AGENCY
Tel:+ 34-666-947-509
Email:(planetsoftlottoagent@mmail.com <mailto:planetsoftlottoagent@mmail.com>)

For the processing and remittance of your winning prize money to a destination of your choice, all prize won should be claim in less than two weeks.

Note that all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Also in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all your correspondence with MR.GEORGE KELVIN and please follow all his instructions religiously.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Yours Sincerely,
Gomez Lambato.
Lottery Coordinator European International.






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