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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: "HARRISON COLE" <kistensusan@tiscali.co.uk>
Reply-To: suzan1414@mail.com
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2005 16:12:45 +0100
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION:

Customer Service
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369

WINNING NOTIFICATION:

We happily announce to you the draw of the UK-LOTTO Sweepstake
Lottery International programs held on the 22Th of APRIL, 2005.
in LEEDS UNITED-KINGDOM.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 564
75600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers:
06-16-17-20-22-23-27, which subsequently won you the lottery in the
2nd category.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of
US$854,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty four Thousand United States
Dollars) in cash credited to file ktu/9023118308/03.This is from
a total cash prize of US $8,! 540,000 million dollars, shared amongst
the first Ten (10) lucky winners in this category.

All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site
through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000
companies. This promotion takes place annually.
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our
European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in
your play coupon.In view of this, your US$854,000.00 (Eight hundred and
fifty four Thousand United StatesDollars) would be
released to you by our payment office in europe.

Our European agent will immediately commence the process to
facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning
information confidential till your claims is processed and your
money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim
your prize.

This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid doub! le
claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
unscru pulous elements. Please be warned.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Mrs SUSAN ELLIOT.

suzan1414@mail.com
Goodluck from me and members of staff of the UK
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your
reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with us or our
designated agent.

Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this
program. Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery
program.

Sincerely,
MR HARRISON COLE
UK-LOTTO Co-ordinator

___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
Cheap flights - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/flights/
Bargain holidays - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/holidays/




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