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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: "Prime Meridian Lottey UK" <win@primemeridian.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: claim@primemeridian.co.uk
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2005 03:04:41 +0100
Subject: Claim Notification/Congratulations!!!

PRIME MERIDIAN LOTTERY PROMO,ENGLAND.
FROM:THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONAL MANAGER,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
REF:PRIME/O528033/750520/2005
BATCH: PMPB/UK/01803350/50238/PRIME/2005
ATTENTION:WINNER AWARD NOTIFICATION/ FINAL NOTICE
Dear Winner
Sequel to the annual lottery draw of the above named establishment in the United Kingdom (UK),conducted on the 1st April, 2005. I am glad to notify you that your e-mail address attached to ticket number 017-1821-6743-039, with serial numbers 5379-13 drew the lucky numbers 01-57-10-77-78-16, won in the third category a lump-sum US$2,000,000.00 in cash credited to file REF NO: PRIME/O528033/750520/2005. This is from total prize money of US$20,400,000.00 shared among the seventeen international winners in this category.
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system using your email address drawn from 25,000 names from Australia, New Zealand, America, Europe, North America,Africa and Asia as part of International Promotions Program, which is conducted annually. And be advised to keep all these information confidential till your prize is processed to avoid multiple applications/filings. This promotion is sponsored by a group of corporate establishments and accredited charitable organisations and Individuals worldwide.
To file for your claim, please contact your Claim agent: John Shuman QC at: john.shuman@primemeridian.co.uk <mailto:john.shuman@primemeridian.co.uk> For due processing and remittance of your prize. please send down your Full Names, Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers. Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 30th April 2005. As after this date, all funds/Prize will be returned as "UNCLAIMED". Congratulations once more.
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to Quote your reference and batch numbers in every one of your correspondence with your Claim agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claim agent as soon as possible. Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.

Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Kathy Marshall MBE.
For:Prime meridian Lottery Promo UK
The Promotions Manager,
Prime meridian Lottery Promo UK

N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to disqualification.



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